Paspalum Roridanum Michx., Florida paspalum 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season , robust, rhizomatous perennial. 
Height: 3 to 4 feet. 
Leaf blade: Flat; 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide; 14 to 20 inches long, 
tapering to point ; frequently covered with long silky hair. 
Leaf sheath: Open ; rounded ; seldom covers nodes ; frequently 
covered with long hair. 
Ligule: Ragged membrane 1/8 inch long. 
Seedhead: 2 to 3 racemes 3 to 4 inches long; spikelets about 
3/16 inch long. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Rhizomes begin to grow in late December and January. New 
leaf growth starts in late winter and early spring. Seedheads ap- 
pear during late July and mature about a month later. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout 11 Southern States and in Kansas and Missouri. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Adapted to the nearly level, acid to neutral, somewhat poorly 
drained flatwoods soils in the Coastal Plain and Florida. Also 
adapted to well-drained deep soils on uplands that have a sandy 
surface over a fine-textured subsoil. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Florida paspalum is palatable and is readily grazed by cattle 
during its growing season. 
Because this grass is succulent, it deteriorates rapidly after ma- 
turity, making it unimportant as dry winter forage. A 60-day graz- 
ing deferment between April and August every 2 to 3 years im- 
proves the vigor of Florida paspalum and associated desirable 
grasses. 
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