Panicum repens

Family- Poaceae

Scientific name – Panicum repens L.

Common name – S – etora, T – inji-pul, E – Torpedo grass  

Synonyms –

• Panicum aquaticum A.Rich., P. arenarium Brot., P. chromatostigma Pilg.. P. convolutum Beauv. ex Spreng., P. hygrocharis Steud., P. ischaemoides Retz., P. leiogonum Delile, P. nyanzense K. Schum

Lifespan – Perennial

Morphology-

• Plant – erect, upto about 1m high flowering pseudostems
• Stem –creeping underground rhizomes  with sharp-pointed tips; nodes often swollen with viable buds
• Leaf – Green; flat or folded along central vein; 7–25 cm long; sometimes a whitish, waxy layer is present on the underside
• Inflorescence -panicle, branched; 7–22 cm long

Biology and ecology – 

• Propagate primarily by rhizome fragments
• Viable seeds are rarely produced
• Prefer wet habitats
• Grow well on moist, sandy soils and in upland crop fields
• Tolerant to drought and temporarily flooded conditions

Agricultural importance –

• Serious weed in tice.
• Reported to suppress the germination and growth of other plants
• May act as an alternative host to rice leafhopper species and plant pathogens such as Ustilago (smut) and Pyricularia species
• Displace native vegetation, particularly in or near shallow waters and may impede water flow in ditches and canals

Management –

Chemical control – use of recommended herbicides

Photo credits –

• https://inspection.canada.ca
• https://www.invasive.org
• http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org
• https://www.plantwise.org
• https://www.teline.fr