Axonopus fissifolius

Last updated

Axonopus fissifolius
Starr 090121-1001 Axonopus fissifolius.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Axonopus
Species:
A. fissifolius
Binomial name
Axonopus fissifolius
Synonyms

Axonopus affinis
Paspalum fissifolium

Axonopus fissifolius is a grass species which is often used as permanent pasture.

Contents

Common names include common carpetgrass, [1] caratao grass, and Louisiana grass in the United States, and mat grass, narrow-leaved carpet grass, and Durrington grass in Australia.

Description

The leaf blades of A. fissifolius may be either folded or flat, and have find hairs along the margin. They may become purple or reddish in color when mature. [2]

Distribution and Habitat

This species' native range encompasses the southeastern United States (from Virginia westward to Texas), Grenada in the Caribbean, and throughout Central and South America. It has been introduced to regions within Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands. [3]

A. fissifolius may be found in habitat types such as sandy forests, pine flatwoods. and grassland environments (specifically those with poor drainage). [4] [5]

at Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, Sri Lanka Axonopus affinis at Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden.jpg
at Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden, Sri Lanka

References

  1. NRCS. "Axonopus fissifolius". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  2. Magee, P. (2005). Plant Fact Sheet: Common Carpetgrass Axonopus fissifolius. N.R.C.S. United States Department of Agriculture. Baton Rouge, LA.
  3. "Axonopus fissifolius - Tropical Forages". tropicalforages.info. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  4. Weakley, A. S. (2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Herbarium.
  5. Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: March 2019. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, N. Bristan, Richard R. Clinebell II, E. H. Cooley, S. T. Cooper, A. H. Curtiss, J. A. Duke, R. J. Eaton, R. K. Godfrey, Edwin Keppner, R. Komarek, R. Kral, John M. Kunzer, R. L. Lazor, D. L. Martin, Gil Nelson, R. A. Norris, R. E. Perdue, P. L. Redfearn, G. W. Reinert, Cecil R. Slaughter, and C. Wood. States and Counties: Florida: Bay, Charlotte, Clay, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gulf, Hernando, Jackson, Leon, Liberty,  Marion, Martin, Okaloosa, Osceola, Polk, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington. Georgia: Clinch, Grady, and Thomas.