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Strickland, Sam C.

Leptochloa dubia

Leptochloa dubia (Kunth) Nees

Green Sprangletop

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s): Chloris dubia, Diplachne dubia

USDA Symbol: LEDU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Green Sprangletop is a 2-3+ ft., fast-growing, bluish-green bunchgrass with wiry stems. The terminal inflorescences are up to 6 in. long with spreading or ascending branches and florets which spread open widely at maturity.

From the Image Gallery

8 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 3-1/2 feet tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AZ , FL , KS , MD , MO , NC , NM , OK , SC , TX
Native Distribution: S. FL; OK to AZ, s. through Mexico
Native Habitat: Dry, open plateaus & hills; alluvial areas; hammocks

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Rocky or sandy soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Green sprangletop behaves as a pioneer species so it is often used in seed mixtures for a quick ground cover while other species have time to establish. Useful for some reclamation projects. Intolerant of poorly drained soils or high water tables.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Sheep Skipper
(Atrytonopsis edwardsi)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Olive-clouded Skipper
(Lerodea arabus)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge, c/o Wimberley Birding Society - Wimberley, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0980 Collected Nov 4, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike Fox

1 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-60 Collected 2006-11-08 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Leptochloa dubia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Leptochloa dubia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Leptochloa dubia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-25
Research By: TWC Staff

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