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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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: 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: YellowBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AZ , FL , KS , MD , MO , NC , NM , OK , SC , TXNative Distribution: S. FL; OK to AZ, s. through Mexico
Native Habitat: Dry, open plateaus & hills; alluvial areas; hammocks
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight 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 |
Olive-clouded Skipper (Lerodea arabus) Larval Host |
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesFind 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
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-60 Collected 2006-11-08 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
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 PlantsFNA: Find Leptochloa dubia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Leptochloa dubia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-25Research By: TWC Staff