Bearded Sprangletop

Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth ssp. fascicularis (Lam.) N. Snow

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲▼ mature, flowering plants

▲illustration of leaves and stem bases

▲ flowering stem

▲ uprooted mature plant

▲▼ inflorescences

▲▼ inflorescences

▲ node

▲leaf collar region, showing membranous ligule and white leaf blade midvein

▲ several clumps near pasture in Kansas

                                       Bearded Sprangletop: 

• *    Similar to Amazon sprangletop in growth habit

• *    Leaves are hairless to barely hairy, compared to more hairy amazon sprangletop

• *    Leaf midvein is whitish; ligule is thin, often jagged-edged

• *    Inflorescence is in a panicle with spikelets held tight against the side branches

• *    Base of panicle is often partially enclosed in a leaf (flag leaf)

• *    Is found in fertile soils in reduced tillage and other row crops; prefers moist soils