Family: Poaceae
Author: (L.) Kunth
Bibliography: Révis. Gramin. 1: 67 (1829)
Year: 1829
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Sporobolus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Tropics & Subtropics
Description
Water couch is a robust perennial grass known to thrive in the warm climates of the tropics and subtropics. Scientifically named Sporobolus virginicus, this resilient grass species has been documented since its initial classification and description in 1829 by the botanist Kunth.
Part of the diverse Poaceae family, Sporobolus virginicus forms dense mats that stabilize coastal sand dunes and estuarine environments. Its ability to withstand high salinity levels, periodic flooding, and poor soil conditions makes it an invaluable species for erosion control and habitat creation in these ecologically sensitive areas.
Water couch features narrow, blade-like leaves and a deep, extensive root system, allowing it to anchor firmly in the shifting sands of its natural habitat. Its growth pattern not only prevents soil erosion but also provides shelter and breeding grounds for various coastal wildlife, including birds and small marine organisms.
The evolutionary adaptations of Sporobolus virginicus make it a prime example of nature’s ingenuity in plant survival and environmental management. Its presence across the tropics and subtropics underscores its importance in maintaining the ecological balance and protecting shoreline landscapes from the harsh impacts of waves and storms.
Researchers and conservationists continue to study and promote the use of water couch in restoration projects due to its ecological benefits and hardiness in challenging conditions. Whether viewed for its botanical significance or its practical applications, Sporobolus virginicus stands as a testament to the intricate interplay between plant life and environmental stewardship.
Common Names
Eng: beach dropseed, jatopa, marine couch, sand couch, seashore dropseed, water couch, seashore rush grass
En: Water couch, Marine couch, Sand couch, Beach dropseed, Seashore dropseed, Jatopa, Seashore rush grass
Fr: Sporobole piquant, Sporobole de Virginie
Synonyms
- Agrostis pungens (Muhl.)
- Agrostis affinis (Schult.)
- Agrostis barbata (Pers.)
- Agrostis distichophylla (Roem. & Schult.)
- Agrostis juncea (Lam.)
- Agrostis virginica (L.)
- Sporobolus humilis subsp. minor (Veldkamp)
- Aira sabulonum (Labill.)
- Aira sabuletorum (Steud.)
- Agrostis dura (Willd. ex Steud.)
- Sporobolus littoralis ((Lam.) Kunth)
- Agrostis congener (Schumach.)
- Podosemum virginicum ((L.) Link)
- Sporobolus sundaicus (Ohwi)
- Vilfa luxurians (Steud.)
- Sporobolus muhlenbergii (Kunth)
- Vilfa littoralis ((Lam.) P.Beauv.)
- Sporobolus confertus (J.A.Schmidt)
- Vilfa geniculata (Nees ex Steud.)
- Vilfa muhlenbergii (Steud.)
- Vilfa murina (Sieber ex Steud.)
- Aira sabulonum var. uniflora (Balansa)
- Vilfa dura (Trin.)
- Vilfa barbata (P.Beauv.)
- Vilfa conferta ((J.A.Schmidt) Steud.)
- Crypsis maritima (Munro ex MacOwan)
- Sporobolus matrella (Nees)
- Sporobolus tremulus ((Trin.) Kunth)
- Vilfa virginica ((L.) P.Beauv.)
- Sporobolus virginicus var. pallidus (Benth.)
- Sporobolus virginicus var. littoralis ((Lam.) Hitchc.)
- Sporobolus virginicus var. minor (B.K.Simon)
- Zoysia tremula (B.D.Jacks.)
- Crypsis virginica ((L.) Nutt.)
- Vilfa intermedia (Trin.)
- Sporobolus benthamii var. robustus (Domin)
- Sporobolus minutus subsp. confertus ((J.A.Schmidt) Lobin, N.Kilian & Leyens)
- Sporobolus virginicus subsp. littoralis ((Lam.) Borhidi & O.Muñiz)
- Agrostis tremula (Willd.)
- Aira subulorum (D.Dietr.)
- Sporobolus geniculatus ((Nees ex Steud.) Nees ex Aitch.)
- Vilfa matrella (Nees)
- Agrostis littoralis (Lam.)
- Sporobolus virginicus var. major (Franch.)
- Vilfa tremula (Trin.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Aldabra (native)
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Angola (native)
- Aruba (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Belize (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bermuda (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Caroline Is. (native)
- Cayman Is. (native)
- Chagos Archipelago (native)
- Chile North (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Christmas I. (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Congo (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Fiji (native)
- Florida (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Galápagos (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Hawaii (native)
- Honduras (native)
- India (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Japan (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Marianas (native)
- Marquesas (native)
- Marshall Is. (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Mozambique Channel I (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Netherlands Antilles (native)
- New Caledonia (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Norfolk Is. (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Ogasawara-shoto (native)
- Oman (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Peru (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Rodrigues (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Seychelles (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Somalia (native)
- South Australia (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South China Sea (native)
- Southwest Caribbean (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Tasmania (native)
- Texas (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Togo (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Venezuelan Antilles (native)
- Victoria (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Western Sahara (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Apr 25, 2020 by Al Mey (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 22, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2009 by Renato Lima (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.
Fruit
Taken Aug 23, 2006 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Dec 16, 2015 by Endemia – Gildas Gâteblé (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Endemia – Julien Barrault (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 24, 2009 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2009 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2009 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2704745)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:423010-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth)
Specifications
Growth form: Rhizomatous
Growth habit: Graminoid
Growth rate: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 6.0
