Paspalum laeve

Paspalum laeve
Paspalum laeve
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Panicoideae
Genus:	Paspalum
Species:	P. laeve
Binomial name
Paspalum laeve Michx.

Paspalum laeve common name field paspalum, is a plant found in North America. ^[1] Its distribution ranges from the southeastern United States northward to New York and westward to Texas and Kansas. ^[2]

It is listed as threatened in Connecticut. ^[3] Paspalum laeve var. circulare, common names round field beadgrass and hairy field beadgrass, is endangered in New York (state). ^[1]

Description

P. laeve's blades are 20 centimeters (approximately 8 inches) in length, with a width ranging between 1 and 10 millimeters (0.03 to 0.3 inches). It spikelets grow in two rows, and are 2.5 to 3 millimeters across. ^[2]

Habitat

This species is found on forest edges and can grow in areas that have been disturbed. ^[4] Specimens of P. laeve have been collected from habitats such as coastal hammocks, wiregrass palmetto flatwoods, pond edges, low field, and old pasture. ^[5] P. laeve has intermediate levels of drought and shade tolerance. ^[2]

References

1. NRCS. "Paspalum laeve". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 3 April 2021.
2. "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
3. "Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015". State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. Retrieved 17 January 2018. (Note: This list is newer than the one used by plants.usda.gov and is more up-to-date.)
4. Weakley, A. S. (2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Herbarium.
5. "Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium".