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Urochloa platyphylla

Previously known as:

  • Brachiaria extensa
  • Brachiaria platyphylla
  • Paspalum platyphyllum
Phonetic Spelling
yur-ah-KLO-ah PLAT-ih-FIL-uh
Description

Broadleaf signal grass is a weedy annual native ornamental grass in the Poaceae (grass) family. Whether this plant is native to the SE USA or introduced and naturalized to this area is in dispute. It is a warm-season grass that grows and blooms from May through October.  It is found along roadsides, disturbed areas, agricultural fields, and ditches preferring loamy to sandy soils. It is not recommended for most gardens.

Its form is a graminoid, elongated culms with blade-like leaves.  It is commonly found growing along the ground with ascending tips.  Its roots are fibrous and can often root at the lower stem nodes. 

Seedlings may have maroon edged and hairy leaf sheaths.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  It can be resistant to herbicides and therefore difficult to manage. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#summer annual#sedge#NC native#warm-season grass#annual grass#disturbed areas#native ornamental grass#annual weed#warm season weed#native weed#annual#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#summer annual#sedge#NC native#warm-season grass#annual grass#disturbed areas#native ornamental grass#annual weed#warm season weed#native weed#annual#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Urochloa
    Species:
    platyphylla
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern and central U.S.A., Cuba, South America
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA
    Wildlife Value:
    Wildlife graze on this grass.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The seed head is in the form of a raceme that blooms from May to October. The seed heads have 2 to 6 branchlike structures, each 1 to 3 1/2" long. The spikelets have a flattened look.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Sheathing wide linear leaves with hairs on sheath, blades are smooth. The Ligule, which is a narrow membrane, has a fringe of hairs. Leave blades can have a bit of Burgundy color. Leaf sheaths are hairy. Leaves may be crinkled on one side and smooth on the other.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stems are prostrate, branching and bending at the nodes.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Problems:
    Weedy