Common name: Saltwater Couch
Paspalum vaginatum Sw. APNI* Synonyms: Paspalum distichum L. APNI*
Description: Stoloniferous and rhizomatous perennial to 0.5 m high; stolons to 5 m long.
Leaves with sheath pilose on the margins towards the summit, otherwise glabrous; ligule 0.5–1.5 mm long; blade to 7 mm wide.
Racemes usually 2, often shortly pedunculate, erect to ± spreading, 1.5–7.5 cm long. Spikelets pedicellate, solitary, 2.5–4.5 mm long, in 2 rows, ovate elliptic or ovate lanceolate. Lower glume usually absent. Upper glume and lower lemma similar and equal to the spikelet, 5-nerved, glabrous, the sterile lemma occasionally transversely undulate. Fertile floret 2.2–3.5 mm long.
Flowering: summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in wet areas near saline or brackish water.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, CWS, LHI
Other Australian states: Qld W.A. S.A. N.T.
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs & C. A. Wall
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
|
