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torpedograss	USDA PLANTS Symbol: PARE3 USDA ARS GRIN: 26620 ITIS: 504106 NAPIS: PCACEBK
Panicum repens L.
Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Cyperales: Poaceae
Synonym(s): torpedo grass, couch panicum, wainaku grass, creeping panic
Torpedograss is a perennial grass that can reach up to 3 ft. (1 m) tall. Plants have long, creeping rhizomes with sharp-pointed (torpedo-like) tips. Leaves are linear, flat or folded, 10 in. (26 cm) long, 0.3 in. (5.3 mm) wide with a whitish, waxy covering. Leaf sheaths can be glabrous or hairy and the ligule is membranous with short hairs. Flowering occurs nearly year round. Flowers develop in branched, open inflorescences that are 2.8-7.1 in. (7-18 cm) long. Torpedograss is native to Africa and Eurasia and was introduced into the United States around 1876. This species can occur in a wide variety of habitats. Plants are usually found in damp soils of riparian zones, but can also be found in pastures and on sand dunes. Plants are salt-tolerant.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - University of Florida

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); rhizomes Karen Brown, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); rhizomes Karen Brown, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Rhizomes John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s); sheath hairs Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Karen Brown, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); Ann Murray, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Tony Pernas, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); Ann Murray, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Diagram or Graphic; Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. USDA Misc. Publ. No. 200. Washington, DC. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Taxonomic References:

USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

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