Paspalum distichum L.

Spice Detail In the field

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Paspalum

Sinònims: Paspalum paspalodes (Michx) Schribner

Catalan common name: Gram d'aigua.

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

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Neotropical

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Non-saline wetlands. Humid soils.

Characteristics: This Gramineae colonizes torrent beds, and at times the along the boarders of paths traversing wet areas, forming large lawns of the same species, which is due to their stolons that stretch out along the ground surface. In flower it's easy to recognize, two spikes in the form of a V. However, one of the two spikes emerges from a shortened peduncle, the other doesn?t, but both are covered by small spikelets attached to the axis. In the Balearic Islands we also can find the species Paspalum vaginatum, which is very similar in appearance but much more rare (needs a classification key) and Paspalum dilatatum, which has its spikes scattered among the upper portions of the stems. Flowers during the summer.