Sporobolus floridanus
| Sporobolus floridanus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Chloridoideae |
| Genus: | Sporobolus |
| Species: | S. floridanus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sporobolus floridanus Chapm. 1860
| |
Sporobolus floridanus, commonly referred to as Florida dropseed, is a species of perennial graminoid, which is endemic to the southeastern region of the United States.[1][2]
Description
Sporobolus floridanus possesses culms that range in height between 1 and 2 m (3.3 and 6.6 ft) and pale blue-green blades that reach a length between 25 and 50 cm (10 and 20 in) and a width between 3 and 10 mm (0.12 and 0.39 in). The blades are glabrous on both sides.[3]
The panicles range between 30 and 50 cm (12 and 20 in) in length and 4 to 15 cm (1.6 to 5.9 in) in width. Spikelets are purple to brown in color and 4 to 6 mm (0.16 to 0.24 in) in length. When fruit is produced it is reddish-brown in color and ranges from 1.7 to 2 mm (0.07 to 0.08 in) across.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The range of S. floridanus is limited to the southeasternmost corner of the United States, with populations found in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.[4] The majority of the species is located in Florida.[5]
S. floridanus may be found in habitats such as wet pine savannas, bogs, treeless swales, and other mesic environments.[6][4]
It is used an indicator species within mesic flatwood communities in northern Florida.[7]
References
- ^ Weakley, Alan S. (2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. University of North Carolina Herbarium.
- ^ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
- ^ a b "Sporobolus floridanus - FNA". floranorthamerica.org. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
- ^ a b "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
- ^ Sorrie, Bruce A.; Weakley, Alan S. (January 2001). "Coastal Plain Vascular Plant Endemics: Phytogeographic Patterns". Castanea. 66 (1): 50–82.
- ^ "Sporobolus floridanus (Florida Dropseed) - FSUS". fsus.ncbg.unc.edu. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
- ^ Carr, Susan C.; Robertson, Kevin M.; Peet, Robert K. (June 2010). "A Vegetation Classification of Fire-Dependent Pinelands of Florida". Castanea. 75 (2): 153–189. doi:10.2179/09-016.1. ISSN 0008-7475.