Paspalum floridanum

Common Names

Florida Paspalum

Summary

Florida paspalum is a native warm-season, rhizomatous perennial grass in the Poaceae family, it typically forms sparse clumps and grows about 3–5 feet tall, with leaves about 3/8–3/4 inch wide and 14–20 inches long, distinctive features include a dense tuft of long hairs behind the ligule and inflorescences of 2–6 racemes, each 3–4 inches long, bearing whitish-green flowers that bloom from August through November, seeds are large and half-rounded, Florida paspalum grows in full sun on a wide range of soils from sandy to clay, including moist or wet sites, and tolerates acidic to neutral conditions; it is FACW in wetlands, reflecting frequent association with moist habitats, for cultivation, provide average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun, sow at 6–8 pounds of pure live seed per acre, planted 1/4–3/4 inch deep, with germination typically within 7 days under adequate moisture, manage with mowing or burning in late winter to early spring to stimulate growth, it responds well to burning and repeated cutting and is relatively free of significant pests and diseases, uses include forage for grazing, erosion control on wet or disturbed sites, and wildlife habitat, with seeds providing food for birds.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-8 feet

Spread

3-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

Acid to neutral soils

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring through Fall

Foliage Color

Green, Blue-green, Dark green with a bluish chalky cast

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, vegetative spread via short rhizomes

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, butterflies