Paspalum setaceum

thin paspalum, slender crown grass, fringeleaf paspalum, sand paspalum
Family

Poaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate, basal (rosulate)

Leaf Attachment

sheathing

Leaf Margin

ciliate

Leaf Type

cauline, simple

Leaf Shape

linear

Growth Form

graminoid

Flower Color

inconspicuous

Flower Month

April - October

Height (meters)

0.1 - 1.0

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial

Growing Season

Warm season


Wetland Class

FAC

Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

5

Field Characters

Identification tip: One of our smallest Paspalums. Similar to Paspalum lividum which has four short rames while P. setaceum has one to two longer rames (sometimes as many as six). Also resembles the crabgrasses (Digitaria sp.) in foliage and habit and often inhabit the same sites. Paspalum setaceum has hairs only on its leaf blade margins while hairs on the leaves of Digitaria sp., if present, grow from surfaces as well as margins. The inflorescence of Digitaria sp. have only terminal rames.

Animal Use

The following information is for the genus Paspalum with note that P. ciliatifolium and P. boscianum are used most extensively. (Neither are found in this database). Animals that eat the plant and its seeds: Mottled duck, Green-winged teal, Canada goose. Animals that eat its seeds: Purple gallinule, Sora rail, Ground dove, Mourning dove, Bobwhite quail, Wild turkey, Redwing blackbird, Cowbird, Junco, Pyrrhuloxia, Pine-woods sparrow, Vesper sparrow, Towhee. Animals that eat the plant: Eastern cottontail rabbit, Bison, White-tailed deer (Martin et al. 1951).

Natural History

Frequently found on the edges of forests and disturbed areas throughout Louisiana and east Texas. Grelen and Hughes (1984) attribute it almost exclusively to disturbed sandy sites.

Habitat

Sandy soil, sandy woods, fields, roadsides.