Couch panicum (Panicum repens, Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 87 (1762))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 87 (1762)

Year: 1762

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Panicum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Old World

Description

Couch panicum, scientifically known as Panicum repens, is a notable species within the Poaceae family. This perennial grass is widely recognized for its robust and resilient nature, thriving predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions across the Old World.

Originating from a diverse range of environments, Couch panicum has adapted to various climatic conditions. It is commonly found flourishing in regions that offer a warm climate, showcasing its versatility and adaptability. The species is renowned for its extensive root system, which enables it to establish itself firmly in the soil. This characteristic makes it particularly effective in preventing soil erosion and maintaining soil structure, thereby contributing positively to the ecosystem.

First described in detail in the second edition of “Species Plantarum” in 1762 by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus, Couch panicum has since garnered considerable attention within botanical studies. Its ability to spread rapidly through rhizomes makes it a vigorous ground cover, which can sometimes be seen as invasive in non-native regions where it may outcompete local flora.

Despite its aggressive growth habit, Couch panicum has applications in agricultural and ecological settings. It is utilized for grazing in some parts of the world, appreciated for the nourishment it provides to livestock. Additionally, due to its resilience, it serves as an effective pioneer species in land rehabilitation projects, especially in degraded or disturbed lands.

In summary, Panicum repens, or Couch panicum, is a versatile and widespread grass species within the Poaceae family, appreciated for its various beneficial attributes, including soil stabilization and forage provision, while also recognized for its potential to be invasive outside its native range.

Common Names

Eng: torpedo grass, victoria grass, couch panicum
Por: canarana-rasteira, capim-furachão, capim-torpedo, grama-castela, grama-castelo, grama-de-castela, grama-portuguesa, membeca, pirimembeca
Spa: cañota
Deu: kriechende hirse
Fra: millet rampant, panic rampant
Ara: nseila, qseiba
Ita: panico strisciante
En: Couch panicum, Torpedo grass, Victoria grass, Creeping Witchgrass, Creeping panic, Panic rampant, Wainaku grass
Ar: بيض الحمار (بيض الحُمار), زمير انتايه (زُميِّرانتايه)، زمارانتايه (زُمَّارانتايه), سيفون (سِيفون)، سفون (سِفُون), نجيل النمر (نِجيل فارسى), نسيله ناعمه (نِسيله ناعمة)، سيفون (سَيْفون), Nseila, Qseiba
Ca: Panissola, Panissola repent
Fr: Panic rampant, Millet rampant
De: Kriechende Hirse, Kriechende Fingerhirse
He: דוחן זוחל
It: Panico Strisciante
Pt: Canarana-rasteira, Capim-furachão, Capim-torpedo, Grama-castela, Grama-castelo, Grama-de-castela, Grama-portuguesa, Membeca, Pirimembeca, Escalracho
Pt-br: Grama-da-praia, Grama-de-ponta, Grama-portuguesa
Es: Cañota, Canota, Grama del norte, Luya-luyahan, Alpiste de tierra, Gramma del norte, Paja voladora, Proso rozlogowe, Victoriagras, Zacate carrillo

Synonyms

• Panicum ischaemoides (Retz.)
• Panicum arenarium (Brot.)
• Panicum tuberosum (Llanos)
• Panicum repens var. ischaemoides ((Retz.) Boerl.)
• Panicum repens var. elatum (Lojac.)
• Panicum chromatostigma (Pilg.)
• Panicum kinshasaense (Vanderyst)
• Panicum roxburghianum (Schult.)
• Panicum convolutum (P.Beauv. ex Spreng.)
• Panicum repens var. arenarium ((Brot.) Kuntze)
• Panicum repens var. leiogonum ((Delile) Schweinf.)
• Panicum kiensieleense (Vanderyst)
• Panicum nyanzense (K.Schum.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Aldabra (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Assam (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Benin (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Chad (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (native)
• Congo (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Greece (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Kriti (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Togo (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Belize (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Nov 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 17, 2022 by McKaila Stafford (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Nehemie MESLAGE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2022 by González Castelli Elena (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 16, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 16, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by McKaila Stafford (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2019 by Perdina Hadyan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2021 by Mohammed al mogais (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Habit

Taken Oct 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Oct 24, 2015 by EOL − clt5 (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Bark

Taken Oct 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 1, 2003 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:412908-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705093)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Panicum repens L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 4

Soil salinity: 4