Axonopus compressus (Sw.) P.Beauv.

synonyms: Paspalum compressum


carpetgrass, broad-leaved carpetgrass


Info

Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus etymology: Axonopus = "axle foot" [Greek] refering to the branches of the inflorescence resemling spokes of a wheel
Species etymology: compressus = "compressed" [Latin], refering to the basal sheaths
Photosynthetic type: C4 (warm season)
Nativity: naturalized - intentional
First recorded in Hawaiʻi: 1915

Map

 Distribution of Axonopus compressus in Hawaiʻi.
 Distribution of Axonopus compressus in Hawaiʻi.

Inflorescence

Axonopus compressus Inflorescence
Axonopus compressus Inflorescence
Axonopus compressus Inflorescence
Axonopus compressus Inflorescence
Axonopus compressus Inflorescence
Axonopus compressus Inflorescence
Axonopus compressus Inflorescence
Axonopus compressus Inflorescence

Plant

Axonopus compressus Plant
Axonopus compressus Plant
Axonopus compressus Plant
Axonopus compressus Plant
Axonopus compressus Plant
Axonopus compressus Plant
Axonopus compressus Plant
Axonopus compressus Plant
Axonopus compressus Plant

Spikelets

Axonopus compressus Spikelets
Axonopus compressus Spikelets
Axonopus compressus Spikelets
Axonopus compressus Spikelets
Axonopus compressus Spikelets
Axonopus compressus Spikelets

Landscape

Axonopus compressus Landscape

Node

Axonopus compressus Node

Description

Plants stoloniferous, rarely rhizomatous, rhizomes, when present, 3-5 cm. Culms 7-80 cm; nodes glabrous or pubescent. Sheaths keeled, strongly compressed, pubescent; ligules 0.3-0.5 mm; blades 3-20 mm wide, glabrous or sparsely pilose, midveins often white and prominent, apices frequently ciliate or pubescent. Panicles terminal and axillary, 4-10 cm overall, rachises to 3.5 cm, with 2-5 branches; branches 1-13 cm. Spikelets 2-3.5 mm, ovoid, ellipsoid, or lanceoloid, acuminate. Upper glumes and lower lemmas extending beyond the upper florets, 2-5-veined, marginal veins pilose, apices acute to acuminate; upper lemmas and paleas 1.5-1.8 mm, broadly ellipsoid. Caryopses 1.2-1.5 mm, gray. 2n = 40, 60, 80.
(Description source: Barkworth, M.E., Capels, K.M., Long, S. & Piep, M.B. (eds.) 2003. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 25. Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part): Poaceae, Part 2. Oxford University Press, New York. 783 pp http://floranorthamerica.org/Axonopus_compressus )