Para
Grass - Urochloa mutica
Family: Poaceae
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Description
Urochloa mutica is a robust, stoloniferous perennial that may be as much
as 1 m or more tall. The lower portion of the stem is decumbent and roots
at the nodes. Nodes of the stem are swollen and have dense hairs. The
leaf sheath also has hairs that are often deciduous with age. Leaves are
up to 30 cm long and 10 to 15 mm wide. The ligule is a collar of short
stiff hairs. The inflorescence is a primary axis with alternately arranged
"branches" that have numerous spikelets. Spiklets are subsessile
and about 3 mm long with a purple tint.
Interesting facts
Para grass reproduces from seed and vegetatively by creeping stolons.
It often grows in cultivated or disturbed areas with moist soil. Once
established, it can spread horizontally by floating stolons into shallow
water areas of lakes, ponds, and streams and form dense, floating mats
(Tarver et al. 1986, Hoyer et al. 1996).
Floating mats of para grass can impede water flow in drainage ditches
and irrigation canals, and restrict recreational activities and navigation
in shallow water (Tarver et al. 1986, Hoyer et al. 1996).
Links to more information
Website, video, and graphics by Rob Nelson
For more information on this plant or management please contact US Army Corp of Engineers
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