Genus Sporobolus Rank Species | ||
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Similar Sporobolus, Sporobolus fertilis, Sporobolus pyramidatus, Setaria parviflora, Sporobolus virginicus | ||
Sporobolus indicus is a species of grass known by the common name smut grass.
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Distribution
This bunchgrass is native to temperate and tropical areas of the Americas.
It can be found in more regions, as well as on many Pacific Islands, as an introduced species and a common weed of disturbed habitat. It is naturalized in Hawaii, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Midway Atoll, and other areas.
Description
Sporobolus indicus is a perennial bunchgrass producing a tuft of stems up to about a meter-3 feet tall. The hairless leaves are up to 50 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a dense, narrow, spikelike panicle of grayish or light brown spikelets, its base sometimes sheathed by the upper leaf.
The inflorescence and upper leaves are sometimes coated in black smut fungus of the genus Bipolaris, the reason for the common name smut grass.
