Paspalum

Lee, Jeongran, Kim, Chang-Seok, Lee, In-Yong & Han, Young-Woo, 2013, First records of Paspalum notatum Flüggé and P. urvillei Steud. (Poaceae) in Korea, Journal of Species Research 2 (1), pp. 79-84 : 79-81

Paspalum 106. 1810.

Paspalum taphrophyllum Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 19 (1853).

Paspalum distachyon Willd. ex Döll in C.F.P.von Martius & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Bras. 2(2): 73 (1877), pro syn.

Paspalum saltense Arechav., Anales Mus. Nac. Montevideo 1: 53 (1894).

Paspalum uruguayense Arechav., Anales Mus. Nac. Montevideo 1: 54 (1894).

Common name: Bahiagrass, Bahia grass ( Allen and Hall, 2007; Osada, 1989).

Korean name: Min-Doong- Cham-sae-pee (ffiḝĝNjm) Perennial with stout, scaly rhizomes. Culms 15-110 cm tall. Leaf sheaths compressed, keeled, glabrous; leaf blades narrowly linear, flat or folded, stiffly spreading, 5- 30 cm long, 2-10 mm wide, glabrous; ligule less than 1.5 mm. Inflorescence a digitate pair of racemes, rarely 3; racemes 10-13 (-16) cm long, recurved-ascending; spikelets single, in 2 row; rachis 1-1.8 mm wide, scabrous. Spikelets green, ovate to obovate, plano-convex, 2.5-4.0 mm long, 1.7-2.5 mm wide, smooth, shining, obtuse; lower glumes absent, upper glume cartilaginous, 3(-5)-veined, glabrous; lower lemma resembling upper glume but slightly shorter; upper lemma pale green to light yellow; palea coriaceous, shiny.

Habitats. In inhabited area, at the edges of forests.

Distribution. Native to Mexico through the Caribbean and Central America to Brazil, northern Argentina, U.S.A., Australia ( USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program, 2012) , Japan ( Osada, 1989), China ( Chen and Phillips, 2006).

Specimens examined. Korea. Jeju-do: 897 Gangjeong-dong, Seogwipo-si , N 33̊15 ′ 40.82′′, E 126̊29 ′ 20.19′′, 15 Sept. 2011. C. S. Kim & J. Lee. Kim 201109-01~05 ( HCCN, 5 sheets) .

Paspalum notatum is notable for its prominent dual, V-shaped inflorescence consisting of two (rarely three) spike-like racemes containing multiple tiny spikelets, each about 2.5-4.0 mm long and 1.7-2.5 mm wide ( Fig. 2 ). The margins of the upper glume and lower lemma are smooth and can be distinguished from P. distichum by having an entirely smooth upper glume. This species is native to Central America and introduced to the United States for forage, turf, and erosion control ( Allen and Hall, 2007). In Asia, it is also found in Japan, China, and Taiwan. The time of introduction to Jeju-do is not clear. But it was quite predominant with P. dilatatum at the inhabited areas of Gangjeong-dong, Seogwipo-si and found at the several orchards in Jeju-do. The Korean name is given as ‘Min-Doong-Cham-Sae-Pee’ based on the characteristics of glabrous spikelets. Although many species of Paspalum are grown as a grain, forages and turf, most of the species are weeds ( Häfliger and Scholz, 1982). It is possible that P. notatum could be one of major weeds in Jeju-do because of its persistent nature that does not allow native species to survive.

Figures

Fig. 2. Paspalum notatum Flüggé. A. habit; B, C. spikelet. B. abaxial side. C. adaxial side.