Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Urochloa fusca (Swartz) Hansen & Wunderlin
(Browntop Signalgrass)


Family: Poaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Bracharia fasciculata (Swartz) Parodi
Panicum fasciculatum Swartz var. reticulatum (Torrey) Beal
Panicum fuscum Swartz
Urochloa fasciculata (Swartz) R.D. Webster

Urochloa fusca has leaf blades with hairs that are bulbous based nearing the sheath. The ligule is a ciliate membrane. The first glume is rather short, and the second glume has transverse purplish striations. The entire spikelet is 3-4mm long and consists of a sterile lower lemma above the glumes and a fertile upper floret. The upper lemma ends in a short nubbin of a bristle. The spikelets themselves are glabrous, unlike those of Urochloa arizonica which are usually pubescent. Urochloa fusca is found in open, flat sandy plains where they tend to be grazed.

Urochloa fusca and Urochloa arizonica intergrade and can be difficult to distinguish. Kelly Allred identified this specimen for us.


Please click on an image for a larger file.



Urochloa fusca, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Tyrone Ridge Access Road south of Silver City, October 10, 2009



Urochloa fusca, plants measured, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Tyrone Ridge Access Road south of Silver City, October 10, 2009



Urochloa fusca, panicle, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Tyrone Ridge Access Road south of Silver City, October 10, 2009



Urochloa fusca, leaf blades, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Tyrone Ridge Access Road south of Silver City, October 10, 2009



Urochloa fusca, field macro of spikelets, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Tyrone Ridge Access Road south of Silver City, October 10, 2009



Urochloa fusca, macro of spikelet, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Tyrone Ridge Access Road south of Silver City, October 10, 2009



Urochloa fusca, macro of upper floret, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Tyrone Ridge Access Road south of Silver City, October 10, 2009



Urochloa fusca, macro of ligule, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Tyrone Ridge Access Road south of Silver City, October 10, 2009



Urochloa fusca, macro of spikelets, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Tyrone Ridge Access Road south of Silver City, October 10, 2009



Urochloa fusca, macro of hairs at leaf base, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Tyrone Ridge Access Road south of Silver City, October 10, 2009


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