Paspalum bifidum

Paspalum bifidum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Paspalum
Species:
P. bifidum
Binomial name
Paspalum bifidum
(Bertol.) Nash[1]

Paspalum bifidum, commonly known as pitchfork paspalum or pitchfork crown grass, is a species of perennial grass found in the United States.[2] They are considered to be important grasses for foraging.[3]

Description

Paspalum bifidum possesses primarily basal leaves that may reach a length up to 20 cm (8 in) with ciliate margins. Stems are between 60 and 90 cm (24 and 35 in) in height and range in width between 3 and 15 mm (0.12 and 0.59 in).[3]

When inflorescence occurs, most commonly from August to October, blooms are white to brown in coloration.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species' range encompasses the southeastern region of the United States, stretching from Virginia to Florida and westward to eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma.[5]

P. bifidum is considered to be a facultative wetland species, and can be found in habitats such as longleaf pine savannas, sandy woodlands, and other habitats with dry to mesic soils.[6][4]

References

  1. ^ "Paspalum bifidum (Bertol.) Nash". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  2. ^ Weakley, Alan S. (October 20, 2020). Flora of the Southeastern United States. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  3. ^ a b Radford, Albert E.; Ahles, Harry E.; Bell, C. Ritchie (December 21, 1968). Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 978-0807810873.
  4. ^ a b "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  5. ^ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  6. ^ "Paspalum bifidum (Pitchfork Paspalum) - FSUS". fsus.ncbg.unc.edu. Retrieved 2025-09-25.