Axonopus fissifolius
Common name: Common Carpetgrass
| Axonopus fissifolius | |
|---|---|
| |
| Photo by the Atlas of Florida Plants Database | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants |
| Class: | Liliopsida - Moncots |
| Order: | Cyperales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Axonopus |
| Species: | A. fissifolius |
| Binomial name | |
| Axonopus fissifolius (Raddi) Kuhlmann | |
| |
| Natural range of Axonopus fissifolius from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Contents
Taxonomic Notes
Synonyms: Paspalum fissifolium Raddi; Axonopus affinis Chase. [1]
Varieties: none.[1]
Description
A. fissifolius is a perennial grass of the Poaceae family.[2] The leaf blade can be flat or folded with fine hairs along margin near the base, slightly pointed or rounded, and purplish or reddish when mature. The seedhead has 3 slender racemes, 2 at summit and 1 (rarely 2) below.[3]
Distribution
A. fissifolius can be found in the southeastern United States from Texas to Virginia, in California and Puerto Rico, and was introduced to Hawaii.[2]
Ecology
Habitat
A. fissifolius is found in pine flatwoods, sandy forests, fields, roadsides, and lawns. [4] It has also been found in grassland areas with poor drainage, among other bunchgrasses. [5] Other observances include loamy sand of longleaf pine oak wiregrass sandhills, wet depressions, mixed swamps, hydric hammocks, and wet clayey sand.[6]
A. fissifolius was found to either increase its occurrence or be unaffected by soil disturbance by roller chopping in south Florida. It has also shown additional growth and sometimes no change in growth in reestablished native south Florida forests that were disturbed by roller chopping.[7] It does not respond to soil disturbance by clearcutting and chopping in North Florida flatwoods forests.[8] Additionally, A. fissifolius was found to be neutral in its long-term response following cessation of repeated soil disturbance.[9]
Associated species: Fuirena sp. and Rhynchospora sp.[6]
Phenology
A. fissifolius occurs more in spots where grazing and trampling were particularly heavy. [10]
Herbivory and toxicology
A. fissifolius is rated as good forage. [11] It is grazed all year by various livestock.[3] This species is an invader species that can tolerate heavy grazing and must be subject to grazing to continue growing.[12]
Conservation, cultivation, and restoration
A. fissifolius is designated as a weedy or invasive plant by the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk Project, Biological Resources Division.[2] For the most production and efficient harvest by livestock, grazing should be rotated each 30 to 40 days with no more than 50% of the current year's growth grazed.[3]
Cultural use
Photo Gallery
References and notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Weakley, A.S. 2015. Flora of the southern and mid-atlantic states. Working Draft of 21 May 2015. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 USDA Plant Database https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=AXFI
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Magee, P. (2005). Plant Fact Sheet: Common Carpetgrass Axonopus fissifolius. N.R.C.S. United States Department of Agriculture. Baton Rouge, LA.
- ↑ . Weakley, A. S. (2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Herbarium.
- ↑ Boughton, E., et al. (2013). "Season of fire and nutrient enrichment affect plant community dynamics in subtropical semi-natural grasslands released from agriculture." Biological Conservation 158: 239-247.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: March 2019. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, N. Bristan, Richard R. Clinebell II, E. H. Cooley, S. T. Cooper, A. H. Curtiss, J. A. Duke, R. J. Eaton, R. K. Godfrey, Edwin Keppner, R. Komarek, R. Kral, John M. Kunzer, R. L. Lazor, D. L. Martin, Gil Nelson, R. A. Norris, R. E. Perdue, P. L. Redfearn, G. W. Reinert, Cecil R. Slaughter, and C. Wood. States and Counties: Florida: Bay, Charlotte, Clay, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gulf, Hernando, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Marion, Martin, Okaloosa, Osceola, Polk, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington. Georgia: Clinch, Grady, and Thomas.
- ↑ Lewis, C.E. (1970). Responses to Chopping and Rock Phosphate on South Florida Ranges. Journal of Range Management 23(4):276-282.
- ↑ Moore, W.H., B.F. Swindel, and W.S. Terry. (1982). Vegetative Response to Clearcutting and Chopping in a North Florida Flatwoods Forest. Journal of Range Management 35(2):214-218.
- ↑ Dixon, C. M., K. M. Robertson, A. M. Reid and M. T. Rother. 2024. Mechanical soil disturbance in a pine savanna has multiyear effects on plant species composition. Ecosphere 15(2):e4759.
- ↑ Lewis, C. E. (1970). "Responses to chopping and rock phosphate on south Florida ranges " Journal of Range Management 23: 276-282.
- ↑ Hilmon, J. B. (1964). "Plants of the Caloosa Experimental Range " U.S. Forest Service Research Paper SE-12
- ↑ Byrd, Nathan A. (1980). "Forestland Grazing: A Guide For Service Foresters In The South." U.S. Department of Agriculture.
