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Urochloa mutica

(Forssk.) T.Q.Nguyen (1966)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Poales Family: Poaceae Genus: Urochloa

california grass, para grass

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Sprawling perennials.

Stems: Culms up to 6 m long, becoming decumbent and rooting at lower nodes, branching from lower and middle nodes, internodes glabrous, hollow, thick–walled, nodes prominent, retrorsely papillose–hirsute.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades flat, up to 25 cm long, up to 15 mm wide. Surfaces usually glabrous or with a few hairs near base, midrib broad and white above near base. Margins thick, purple, scabrous. Veins parallel. Sheaths longer than internodes, papillose–hirsute to subglabrous; ligule membranous, 1.5–1.8 mm long, densely white ciliate, collar finely velvety pubescent. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences terminal on leafy branches, up to 20 cm long, consisting of several to numerous, solitary or clustered, ascending racemes 1–7 cm long, velvety pubescent at base; spikelets solitary, paired, or in small clusters along lower sides of the trigonous rachis, the rachis up to 1 mm wide, the angles scabrous, sparsely papillose; spikelets 3.2–3.4 mm long, ovate, acute, often purple, glabrous; first glume 0.8–1.2 mm long, deltate, 1–nerved, second glume and first lemma equal, about as long as the spikelet, second glume 5–7–nerved; first lemma 5–nerved, enclosing a large palea that often protrudes between first lemma and second glume, lemma of fertile floret 2.1–2.5 mm long, elliptic–ovate, striate or rugulose; palea flat. Stamens 3. Ovary superior.

Fruit: Caryopsis infrequently developed.

Ploidy: 2n = 18; 36; 52

Habitat: Naturalized and usually forming dense mats in areas of high soil moisture or nearby open water; such as along stream banks; drainage ditches; and roadsides; as well as other disturbed sites.

Elevation Range: 0–1,060 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 3: 13 (1966)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1504 (Mi, K, O, L, M, H [as Brachiaria mutica]); Herbst & Clayton 1998:20/Faccenda 2022:88 (KEY); Oppenheimer 2003:20 (Mo); Snow & Lau 2010:49 (retain separation of Brachiaria from Urochloa); Zuloaga et al. 2003:632/Wagner & Herbst 2003:58 (Syn. B. mutica = U. mutica); Starr & Starr 2008 (Mi†, 1999)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Urochloa mutica Dirt road 2.8 mi NW of Wailua Experiment Station Lihue-koloa Forest Reserve Growing off dirt road Preserved_Specimen Weed to 10 ft. Ishikawa, S. 279 Kauai BISH 1973-08-20
2 Urochloa mutica East Maui, Hana, Wakiu Roadside Preserved_Specimen Culms decumbent at base St.John, H. 17853 Maui BISH 1936-12-30
3 Urochloa mutica Lawai Valley Pacific Tropical Botanic Garden Occasional along valley floor Preserved_Specimen Decumbent, spreading grass. Herbst, D.R. 2309 Kauai BISH 1972-01-07
4 Urochloa mutica Honolulu; Wilhelmina Rise Mauka part of haole koa zone. Growth form of runners; no fruit Preserved_Specimen Egler, F.E. 3757 Oahu BISH 1937-03-24
5 Urochloa mutica ahupuaa of Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District of Hawaii. Found growing on the side of the old railroad Found growing on the side of the old railroad. Preserved_Specimen ESP Field Crew Hawaii BISH 1979-08-15
6 Urochloa mutica Kalae Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Weed. Oppenheimer, H.L. 110123 Molokai BISH 2001-11-18
7 Urochloa mutica Koolau Mountains, near Laie Prefers wet regions, along roadsides. Vegetation type: Norfolk Pine, grasses, lupines Soil: red clay Preserved_Specimen A perennial, rooting at lower joints. Para Grass, Tall Panicum Brandow, C.T. 50 Oahu BISH 1967-05-14
8 Urochloa mutica James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Kahuku, Oahu Growing on burm or dike on edge and into canal and pond, standing water to drier areas. Growing in nearly monotypic stands. Other species in area, Eclipta prostrata, Plantago major, Eleusine indica, Coronopus didymus, Mimosa pudica. Preserved_Specimen Creeping to upright grass to 7 ft tall or more. Light hairs on culms. Strongly rooted in clumps. Crago, L.M. 2005043 Oahu BISH 2005-02-04
9 Urochloa mutica UH Manoa, Loi Kalo off of Dole St, along Manoa stream unmowed area Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2173 Oahu BISH 2021-11-29
10 Urochloa mutica Kipapa Gulch Along streambank Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1366 Oahu BISH 1936-03-22
11 Urochloa mutica Kailua; Edge of Kaelepulu Pond, north & west borders Along edge of pond Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1940-05-30
12 Urochloa mutica Kawainui Marsh, Southend of dike road on Marsh side Dominant on muddy banks of marsh into water and upper bank areas of wet to dry soil. Preserved_Specimen Upright to trailing grass with narrow blades, sheaths from blade to attachment point on culm light green to dark purple and semi pubesent to very pubesent. Crago, L.M. 2005014 Oahu BISH 2005-01-20
13 Urochloa mutica Palawai, Kaluanui Flats, pineapple field drainage ditch Prostrate grass. Weed along a pineapple field drainage ditch. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5801 Lanai BISH 1976-04-01
14 Urochloa mutica Kailua; Kawainui Swamp In early pure stands, dominant vegetation Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10521 Oahu BISH 1930-05-04
15 Urochloa mutica ahupuaa of Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District Found growing on the side of the ols railroad. Preserved_Specimen ESP Field Crew Hawaii BISH 1979-08-15
16 Urochloa mutica 4050 Tantalus Drive at Puu Ohia trailhead Mixed mesic introduced forest. Preserved_Specimen Perennial grass to 1m Annable, C.R. 3870 Oahu BISH 1999-01-09
17 Urochloa mutica Mokuleia Roadside Preserved_Specimen Seldom flowers Degener, O. 11501 Oahu BISH 1937-11-04
18 Urochloa mutica Opaeula Becoming naturalized in abandoned pineapple field Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 23762 Oahu BISH 1954-11-03
19 Urochloa mutica University of Hawaii campus, quarry; NE corner, near banyan tree moist - in shade and open sun Preserved_Specimen prostrate - culms up to 8 ft long Herbst, D.R. 24 Oahu BISH 1966-03-19
20 Urochloa mutica Waipio In a deserted pineapple field. Dodonaea-Styphelia lowland Mesic shrubland; with Neraudia sericea, Bidens menziesii, Pleomele, Pittosporum. Preserved_Specimen A spreading perennial grass with long intertwining, decumbent culms. Herbst, D.R. 699 Oahu BISH 1967-11-09
21 Urochloa mutica Honolulu; H. L. Lyon Arboretum Weed in Middle Lawn Mauka. Forming dense mats, up to 7' ht. Preserved_Specimen Forming dense mats, up to 7' ht. Nagata, K.M. 526 Oahu BISH 1968-12-26
22 Urochloa mutica Kahuku beach Tall grass growing in patches in coral-limestone soil Preserved_Specimen Tall grass Hall, M.T. 10 Oahu BISH 1980-12-12
23 Urochloa mutica Tanatalus Road Weed on roadside Preserved_Specimen Para grass Wong, R. Oahu BISH 1940-11-13
24 Urochloa mutica Park warehouse Spreading to 6 feet tall, climbs in trees. Dense roots. No flowers. Preserved_Specimen Paragrass, Panic grass, California grass Fagerlund, G.O. 858 Hawaii BISH 1943-12-04
25 Urochloa mutica Hanalei District Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge Edge of taro field Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 6277 Kauai BISH 1989-11-20
26 Urochloa mutica Along beach area W of Waiehu Golf Course Spreading grass to 4'. Found with Cynodon. Preserved_Specimen Ishikawa, S. 317 Maui BISH 1973-11-29
27 Urochloa mutica Honolulu, Ka'ena Point sunny meadow dominated by this Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 1732 Oahu BISH 2021-02-14
28 Urochloa mutica Kahuku; James Campbell Natl. Wildlife Refuge. In vicinity of bird-viewing gazebo Large sprawling grass. Dominant along wet pond margins Preserved_Specimen Large sprawling grass Imada, C. 9228 Oahu BISH 1992-04-05
29 Urochloa mutica Honolulu; Fair grounds Edge of road, spreading Preserved_Specimen Height of plant: 1 m Lee, H.A. 119 Oahu BISH 1924-12-15
30 Urochloa mutica Honolulu Escape from cultivation Preserved_Specimen Para Grass. Herb. Flowers abundant in November. Forage Brown, F.B.H. 1317 Oahu BISH 1924-11-12
31 Urochloa mutica Kailua; Edge of Kaelepulu Pond, west borders Along edge of pond Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1940-06-11
32 Urochloa mutica Honolulu; Wilhelmina Rise Koolau Range, mauka part of haole koa zone. Growth form 5 ft. from ground, scrambling over klu; no fruit Preserved_Specimen Egler, F.E. 3756 Oahu BISH 1937-03-24
33 Urochloa mutica Kaneohe Roadside, escaped from cultivation Preserved_Specimen Erect grass 1-2 m, tall Bryan Jr., E.H. 1032 Oahu BISH 1935-11-24
34 Urochloa mutica Kaimuku, Waialae Escaped from cultivation along roadside Preserved_Specimen Height of plant: 1 m. Recumbent Merrill 11 Oahu BISH 1924-08-15
35 Urochloa mutica Keehi Lagoon Sand islet at inner northwest corner of triangle formed by seaplane runways Rare, at high water line, windward side of islet. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1942 Oahu BISH 1971-06-13
36 Urochloa mutica Kawailoa Swamp Preserved_Specimen Nitta, K. 10728 Oahu BISH 1930-05-02
37 Urochloa mutica Honolulu; Manoa Valley Preserved_Specimen Meebold, A. 10602 Oahu BISH 1935-10-12
38 Urochloa mutica Waiakea, Leleiwi Pt At sea level. Decumbent, trailing grass. Common along roadside. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 4080 Hawaii BISH 1974-08-14
39 Urochloa mutica Honolulu OBSERVATION Curtis Daehler Oahu HAPI 3/25/2007
40 Urochloa mutica Kawailoa Swamp Preserved_Specimen Nitta, K. 10594 Oahu BISH 1930-08-02
41 Urochloa mutica Along Kaluinui Stream With in abandonded sugarcane fields. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1978-03-21
42 Urochloa mutica Kawainui Marsh near entrance to Kapaa Quarry Roadside. Abundant throughout marsh. Preserved_Specimen O'Connor, P.J. Oahu BISH 1985-11-24
43 Urochloa mutica Haleiwa; S. Opaeula Gulch, Koolau Mt., Paalaa Semi-moist Preserved_Specimen Nakagawa, S. Oahu BISH 1930-11-09
44 Urochloa mutica Central Maui, southern coast of isthmus, Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. West end of 4-acre ponds SW of main office Solid cover in clogged waterway leading into Kealia Pond, mixed with Batis and Bolboschoenus, backed by Pluchea shrubland. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 9821 Maui BISH 1998-10-06
45 Urochloa mutica Waimanalo Preserved_Specimen Flowering stalk Lyman, C.L. Oahu BISH 1966-05-27
46 Urochloa mutica Aina Haina Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 19 Oahu BISH 1949-12-15
47 Urochloa mutica Koele Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 574 Lanai BISH 1930-01-10
48 Urochloa mutica Makapu'u point, about 100 m away from summit lookout dry sunny area with Cenchrus ciliaris and Panicum maximum Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2242 Oahu BISH 2022-02-12
49 Urochloa mutica Kalaheo; Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden New headquarters site Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 628 Kauai BISH 1983-10-31
50 Urochloa mutica Honolulu; Manoa Campus, Univ. of Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Swarbrick, J.T. 43 Oahu BISH 1976-01-04
51 Urochloa mutica Koolau range On roadside at base of Anahulu (Kawailoa) trail Preserved_Specimen Weber, P.W. Oahu BISH 1947-11-30
52 Urochloa mutica Waimanalo Preserved_Specimen Lyman, C.L. Oahu BISH 1966-05-22
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