Hello, I seek help to identify the grass in the attached photo. This grass has formed a vigorous turf in a yard in my neighborhood. The resident says he brought it in a suitcase from tropical S. America, where it is cattle fodder. To my eye, the inflorescence looks similar to Stenotaphrum, but the stolons look similar to Eremochloa. This AMATEUR is stumped. Thanks! Andrei
Very much like Stenotaphrum secundatum, indeed. I cannot see clearly if the inflorescence is secund (one-sided). Only one Eremochloa species, Eremochloa ciliaris is listed for California, which should have ciliate glumes. Both species overlap in San Francisco area: http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=STSE http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ERCI10
Hi Audrey, Thanks for the reply and the info. Having grown up in Houston, I am very familiar with Stenotaphrum secundatum. I think this grass is not that species, but maybe a close relative. There is no reason to doubt my neighbor's claim that he brought a patch of turf from S. America in a suitcase. He speaks with a heavy Latin American accent, and he speaks confidently about ranching cattle in S. America. Would it be helpful that I post more pictures? My interest is not just academic. This turf is the best in my neighborhood. Thank you, Andrei
Sorry, could it be Stenotaphrum secundatum that is "stressed" by life in N. California? But, it doesn't seem stressed in the yard. This grass has utterly dominated the yard, like Stenotaphrum secundatum dominates a Houston yard. Burlingame is cool and dry compared to Houston. My neighbor does report watering it some.
It is quite believable that this might be a new addition to the USA flora from the S America. Both species I mentioned are mapped to the N San Francisco and not to the Burlingame area, although close. It is also true that the regular mowing may bring a definite stress on plants. You can take a piece of this turf and try to grow it undisturbed to see its normal state. Andrey
Hi Andrey (got it right this time), The inflorescence is definitely secund. See the attached new photos in vivo. Not quite Stenotaphrum secundatum, but close, I think. I have planted some sprigs in my weed-choked "lawn", to see how well they compete. Best! Andrei
Revision of thought: probably Stenotaphrum secundatum, but maybe a variety with rather wide blades, sharp tips, and unusual drought tolerance.