Vasey grass (Paspalum urvillei, Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 24 (1853))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Steud.

Bibliography: Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 24 (1853)

Year: 1853

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Paspalum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Bolivia to Brazil and S. South America

Description

Vasey grass, scientifically known as Paspalum urvillei, is a significant species within the Poaceae family. First documented by Steud. in 1853, in Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 24, this grass species has garnered notable attention for its adaptability and wide distribution.

Primarily found across regions from Bolivia to Brazil and extending throughout Southern South America, Vasey grass thrives in warm climates and varying soil conditions. Its robust nature allows it to grow in diverse environments, contributing to its widespread presence in these areas.

Vasey grass is utilized in pasture systems and serves as a fodder crop for livestock. Its resilience and ability to produce significant biomass make it an important species for grazing animals. Additionally, its extensive root system aids in soil stabilization, making it valuable for erosion control in agricultural and natural landscapes.

Despite its benefits, Vasey grass can sometimes be classified as invasive outside its native range, where it may outcompete local flora. Effective management practices are essential to control its spread in non-native ecosystems.

In conclusion, Vasey grass (Paspalum urvillei) plays a dual role in agriculture and natural conservation within its native habitats in South America. Its study and understanding continue to provide insights into sustainable land and agricultural management practices.

Common Names

Eng: vasey grass, vasey’s grass
Por: capim-das-roças
Fra: herbe de vasey
Spa: hierba de vasey
Ita: paspalo eretto
En: Vasey grass, Vasey’s grass, VASEYGRASS
Af: Langbeenwatergras
Zh: Si mao que bai, 丝毛雀稗, 吳氏雀稗, 絲毛雀稗
Fi: Suppuhelmihirssi
Fr: Herbe de Vasey, Paspalum d’Urville
It: Paspalo eretto
Ja: Tachi-suzume-no-hie
Fa: ارزن باتلاقی آمریکایی
Pt: Capim-das-roças
Es: Hierba de Vasey, Paja boba, Paja mansa
Zh-tw: 吳氏雀稗

Synonyms

• Paspalum virgatum var. pubiflorum (Vasey)
• Paspalum dilatatum var. parviflorum (Döll)
• Paspalum virgatum var. parviflorum (Döll)
• Paspalum griseum (Hack. ex Corrêa)
• Paspalum larranagae (Arechav.)
• Paspalum ovatum var. parviflorum (Nees)
• Paspalum vaseyanum (Scribn.)
• Paspalum velutinum (Trin. ex Nees)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Belize (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Liberia (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jun 14, 2015 by EOL − Nicholas Cowey (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 7, 2015 by EOL − Mike Lusk (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Más & Lugo-Torres (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 30, 2019 by Todd Schnakenberg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2022 by Viero Baddo Enzo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 21, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 21, 2013 by EOL − Michael P. Riggs (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 5, 2015 by EOL − Judith Lopez Sikora (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2019 by gzrz cachi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute. (public)

Taken Dec 20, 2015 by EOL − Bryan (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 20, 2015 by EOL − Bryan (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 20, 2015 by EOL − Bryan (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Más & Lugo-Torres (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 8, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2015 by EOL − Mike Lusk (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 5, 2015 by EOL − Judith Lopez Sikora (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Dec 8, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 8, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2022 by Villena Rojas Marcelo (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)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705650)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:414828-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Paspalum urvillei Steud.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth