Axonopus species

Non-Native in Florida

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Carpet grasses often occur together in flatwoods, even in standing water. Axonopus furcatus, big carpet grass, and Axonopus fissifolius, common carpet grass, are very similar in appearance. A. furcatus spikelets are smooth; A. fissifolius spikelets have hairs.

Carpet grasses may be NON-NATIVE grasses, but scientists are not in agreement on this. It is clump forming and spreading; stems flattened, erect to 3 ft. tall; leaf blades flat or folded, 6-11 in. long, 1/4 in. ( A. fissifolius) to 1/2 in. (A. furcatus) wide; rounded at tip, margins with 1-4 long straight hairs at base, or frequently A. furcatus will have short, stiff hairs along entire margin; ligules with short stiff hairs, entire margins; ligules with short stiff haris; inflorescences 2-4 spike-like branches 1-5 in. long, forked at top of stem; spikelets alternate, 2 rows on each branch; flowers only on lower side of inflorescence branches