torpedograss
(Panicum repens L.)

Overview

Appearance

Panicum repens 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.

Foliage

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.

Flowers

Flowering occurs nearly year round. Flowers develop in branched, open inflorescences that are 2.8-7.1 in. (7-18 cm) long.

Fruit

Fruits are small, about 0.07 in. (1.8 mm).

Ecological Threat

Panicum repens 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.

Resources

• Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Alabama Invasive Plant Council
• Alabama Noxious Weeds - Class C Noxious Weed
• Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
• Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category I
• Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 3
• Hawaii Noxious Weeds
• John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council
• Southwest Florida Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area
• Texas Noxious Weeds
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References