Smut grass (Sporobolus indicus, Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland.: 170 (1810))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) R.Br.

Bibliography: Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland.: 170 (1810)

Year: 1810

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sporobolus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

Smut grass, scientifically known as Sporobolus indicus, is a resilient perennial grass that thrives in tropical and subtropical regions of America. Recognized for its hardy nature and tenacity, this grass is often found in a variety of habitats where it plays a role in the local ecosystem.

Originally described in 1810, Sporobolus indicus was cataloged in the prodigious work “Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland.” by the renowned botanist Robert Brown. The notation (L.) R.Br. indicates that the species was initially classified by Carl Linnaeus, and the name was subsequently refined by Brown, reflecting the collaborative nature of botanical nomenclature.

Belonging to the Poaceae family, which is commonly referred to as the grass family, Smut grass exhibits a robust structure that enables it to survive in less than ideal soil conditions. This adaptability makes it a common sight from open fields to more disturbed environments where other plants might struggle to establish.

While it might be resilient, smut grass can sometimes be considered a weed due to its aggressive growth habit and the potential challenges it poses to agricultural endeavors. Despite this, it also serves ecological functions such as providing ground cover and serving as a food source for certain grassland fauna.

Understanding the complexities of Sporobolus indicus, from its taxonomy to its environmental impacts, helps in managing its presence and ensuring that it remains a balanced part of the ecosystems where it is found.

Common Names

Ita: gramigna tenacissima
Heb: madhol hodi, מדחול הודי
Eng: smut grass, giant parramatta grass, bull grass
Fra: sporobole fertile
Por: campim-doce
Nld: rattenstaartgras
Swe: indiskt droppgräs
En: Smut grass, Giant Parramatta grass, Bull grass, Smutgrass
Ca: Esporòbol índic
Nl: Rattenstaartgras
Fr: Sporobole fertile, Sporobole tenace
De: Indisches Vilfagras
He: Madhol hodi, מדחול הודי
It: Gramigna tenacissima, Gramigna tenace
Pt: Campim-doce
Sv: Indiskt droppgräs

Synonyms

• Agrostis orientalis (Nees)
• Sporobolus lamarckii (Desv.)
• Sporobolus indicus var. andinus (Renvoize)
• Sporobolus tenacissimus ((L.f.) P.Beauv.)
• Paspalum lanceifolium (Desv.)
• Sporobolus indicus f. africanoides (Jovet & Guédès)
• Agrostis tenacissima (L.f.)
• Vilfa elongata (P.Beauv.)
• Sporobolus indicus var. exilis ((Trin.) T.Koyama)
• Vilfa indica ((L.) Trin. ex Steud.)
• Sporobolus indicus f. microspiculus (Jovet & Guédès)
• Vilfa berteroana (Trin.)
• Sporobolus berteroanus ((Trin.) Hitchc. & Chase)
• Vilfa tenacissima ((L.f.) Kunth)
• Vilfa exilis (Trin.)
• Andropogon intortum (Crantz)
• Sporobolus orientalis (Kunth)
• Vilfa angusta (Buckley)
• Vilfa orientalis (Nees ex Trin.)
• Sporobolus indicus tenacissimus ((L.f.) Peter)
• Vilfa tenacissima var. exilis ((Trin.) E.Fourn.)
• Paspalum parviflorum (Desv.)
• Agrostis elongata (Lam.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bermuda (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Desventurados Is. (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Ascension (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Central American Pac (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maluku (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sulawesi (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Tuamotu (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)

Additional Images

Bark

Taken Oct 26, 2022 by Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2018 by Roberto Dessì (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2020 by ramaninia hassan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Etienne CHAUVET (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Dominique Abauzit (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 10, 2021 by daniel kateta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by BONNARD Maxime (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2018 by Roberto Dessì (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2018 by Roberto Dessì (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2018 by Roberto Dessì (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2021 by nicolas pecqueux (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2021 by nicolas pecqueux (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 2, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain FOUQUE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Aug 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (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:1207790-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2704757)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sporobolus indicus (L.) R.Br.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 6