Water paspalum
Paspalum repens is an aquatic grass native to Florida. It is frequently found submersed or floating, growing in the mud or shallow waters of rivers, ponds, streams and swamps along the Florida peninsula west to the central panhandle. Paspalum repens blooms from summer to fall.
Stems grow to 18” long and are sprawling, spongy and thick; roots are dark and brush-like. Leaves are lance-shaped, 1” wide and 5 – 8” long, tapering at both ends, with a sandpapery feel on both surfaces. Leaf sheaths may have stiff course hairs or they may be smooth; they are purplish and often dotted. Inflorescences are 3 – 8” long; the main axis has many spreading branches or racemes which are very narrow, 1 – 4” long, each with a double row of spikelets that are attached only on the underside of the branch. Spikelets are elliptical and covered with fine hairs. They have single small flowers, each about 1/16” long. Fruit are small, flat, long and white.
