Paspalum vaginatum Swartz, seashore paspalum 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season , rhizomatous, stoloniferous perennial. 
Height: 10 to 12 inches, occasionally 20 inches. 
Leaf blade: 2 to 5 inches long; somewhat rolled toward tip; 
distinctly 2-ranked ; dark green. 
Leaf sheath: Usually overlapping. 
Seedhead : 2 paired racemes, which separate at maturity. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Stolons usually remain green all year, especially if they are 
growing in water. Blades turn brown and deteriorate after the 
first frost. Produces seedheads several times during growing sea- 
son but seed are seldom viable. Often grows in pure stands. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Along the gulf and Atlantic coasts as far north as North Caro- 
lina. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Adapted primarily to firm mineral marsh soils of moderate salin- 
ity. Does best if water level fluctuates from 6 inches below soil 
surface to 2 inches above. Tolerates deeper water during winter. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Seashore paspalum is an important forage plant. Cattle and 
horses graze the leaves and stems from March through November 
on salt marshes and the green stolons during winter. This grass 
also provides green feed for wild geese. It is an indicator of mod- 
erate salinity, usually enough to make the area unsuitable for 
cropland. 
This grass is most productive if no more than 50 percent of 
current year’s growth by weight is grazed off. Cattle and horses 
seldom overgraze it because much of its foliage lies flat on the 
ground. Burning is not recommended as a management practice. 
A 90-day grazing deferment is beneficial in improving plant vigor 
and producing a forage reserve. 
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