Paspalum vaginatum Swartz

Spice Inflorescence details

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Paspalum

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Neotropical

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Humid soils and torrents.

Characteristics: A Gramene which has two symmetrical spikes at the top of the stems. These spikes can be erect or open. Every spike is covered in spiklets which are quite flat. This feature allows us to distinguish it from Paspalum paspalodes which have them slightly swollen, as well as other vegetative features such as the lack of hair on the ligule. It lives in moist and slightly brackish places. It flowers at the end of summer and in autumn. It was possibly introduced in our flora.