Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.

  • Family

    Poaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth

  • Description

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    Species Description - Strongly rhizomatous and stoloniferous perennial herb; culms widely creeping in rows and branching virgately, glabrous, often yellowish, the upright portions 20-60 cm tall. Leaves distichous or appearing subopposite, overlapping; ligules 0.1-0.3 mm long; blades 4-16 x 0.2-0.5 cm, flat, widest at base. Panicles 3- 10 X 0.6-1.5 cm, linear, contracted; branches ascending and appressed; pedicels appressed. Spikelets 2-3 mm long; glumes 1.5-2.8 mm long, ovate-oblong, scaberulous along keel, the apex acute; lemma 2.1-2.9 mm long, elliptic; anthers 1-1.7 mm long. Caryopsis usually absent.

    Distribution and Ecology - A common grass of sandy beaches, coastal dunes, and saline habitats. Dittlif Point (A3963), Little Lameshur (A2019), Reef Bay (A2729). Also on Anegada, St. Croix, and St. Thomas; pantropical.