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Panicum repens
Torpedograss
Nonnative to Florida
FISC Category 1
https://plant-directory.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/panicum-repens/
Invasive
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Species Overview
Native to: tropical and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa
The common name torpedograss refers to this grass’ sharply pointed or
torpedo-like growing tips. It was introduced to the United States before 1876,
primarily through seed used for forage crops. In the early 1900’s the United
States Department of Agriculture imported and distributed torpedograss seed
for planting in pasturelands, providing forage for cattle. It can now be found in
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cultivated and abandoned fields, open ground, gardens, lawns, and landscape
planting beds and also thrives in aquatic habitats from lakes to marshes.
Considered one of Florida’s most troublesome invasive grasses, it can be
found in over 70% of the state’s public waters.
Species Characteristics
Family: Poaceae
Habit: perennial grass that can grow up to 40 inches tall from creeping
rhizomes (underground stems that form lateral shoots and roots) and stolons
(aboveground stems that creep across the ground or float in aquatic
environments).
Leaves: hairy leaf sheaths and hair on the upper margins of the leaves. Leaf
blades are stiff, linear, flat or folded; the surface often with a waxy or whitish
coating.
Flowers: panicle-type inflorescence, 3-9 inches long.
Distribution in Florida: throughout entire state.
Impacts
Seed viability in Florida has been determined to be low to none and it primarily
spreads vegetatively by rhizomes and stem fragments, which can form new
plants. It can easily be moved to new areas on mowers and other heavy
equipment as well as boats and aquatic equipment. Large infestations found
in Lake Okeechobee displace close to 7,000 acres of native marsh.
Torpedograss management costs approximately $2 million a year in flood
control systems and it is also a major problem for the citrus and golf course
industries. The denseness of the mats may impede water flow in ditches and
canals and restrict recreational use of shoreline areas of lakes and ponds.
Control Methods
Preventive Measures
Torpedograss can be extremely difficult and expensive to control. Prevention
should be part of every management plan. For torpedograss, the spread of
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rhizomes can be limited by controlling populations near waterways, properly
cleaning machinery such as lawnmowers and boats, and only accepting
materials like soil, mulch, and hay from certified sources.
Cultural/Physical
Maintaining a healthy ecosystem with native species diversity may limit the
amount of open and disturbed habitat available for torpedograss
establishment.
Mechanical
Only moderately effective. Mechanical methods include tillage, digging,
mowing and burning; however, these methods can result in numerous rhizome
fragments that can sprout and produce aerial shoots. Hoeing and hand
weeding are also known to be ineffective due to its rapid growth from
underground rhizomes. Continuous tillage can be effective under the right
conditions, such as soil conditions, climate, and the depth of tillage. In many
natural areas, particularly wetlands, tillage is impractical and difficult to use.
Digging the rhizomes out has been attempted in few studies, but in large areas
it is impractical, expensive, and time-consuming, and it usually results in
further spread of rhizome fragments. However, this method may work in very
small areas, such as landscape beds where the infestation is confined.
Mowing is only marginally effective, and torpedograss can tolerate grazing
and trampling. Fire can be used to destroy the aboveground vegetation, but the
rhizomes are protected underground and can resprout.
Biological
There are limited agents being studied for biological control of torpedograss,
although Dr. Charudattan at the University of Florida has been evaluating a
species of fungus. Torpedograss is very palatable for cows and goats, and
grazing may be integrated in an overall management scheme.
Chemical
Postemergence herbicides are the most common and widely used method of
torpedograss control. Two of the most effective herbicides for torpedograss
control are glyphosate and imazapyr (McCarty et al. 1993). While glyphosate
can be used as in landscape planting beds if applied as a directed application,
imazapyr is not labeled for use in landscapes and application can result in
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severe injury or death to landscape ornamentals. In areas where glyphosate
can be applied without contacting nearby ornamental plants, it can be applied
as a 2% to 3% v/v solution; however, repeated applications are often needed
for complete control (Nir 1988). In cases where torpedograss is growing
through the canopy of shrubs (Figure 6), graminicides such as fluazifop-Pbutyl (Fusilade II), which is labeled for torpedograss suppression, or
sethoxydim (Segment II), can be applied as an over-the-top application to
most broadleaf ornamental plants. However, these herbicides are typically
less effective than glyphosate and multiple applications are usually needed for
long-term control (Enloe et al. 2018). Because torpedograss primarily spreads
via rhizomes, preemergence herbicides are not an effective option.
Consult your local UF IFAS Extension for further assistance with management
recommendations. Additional information can be found in the EDIS
Publication Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of
Florida and Biology and Management of Torpedograss in Ornamental
Landscape Planting Beds
Learn more about this species
UF IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas
Atlas of Florida Plants
EDDMapS
USDA Plant Database
Invasive Species Compendium
View records and images from University of Florida Herbarium
DOWNLOADS
Line Drawing
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Recognition Card
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VIDEO
torpedograss (Panicum repens)
DISTRIBUTION
Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southwest, Southeast
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