Panicum repens
Common Name(s): Torpedograss
Non-Native to Florida
Origin: Old World1
Introduction to Florida: 1920s (agriculture)2
Video ID segment (2-3 minutes)
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This species appears on the following legally prohibited plant lists
Torpedograss Study at Wellington Environmental Preserve
UF-IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas
CATEGORY I on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s (FLEPPC) 2017 List of Invasive Plant Species
More Info: Plant Management in Florida Waters
Download a recognition card (PDF) from Invasive and Non-native Plants You Should Know3
Download a page (PDF) from Identification and Biology of Nonnative Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas – Second Edition1
For control information, see Integrated Management of Nonnative Plants in Natural Areas of Florida (SP 242)4
For brief control information, see Efficacy of Herbicide Active Ingredients Against Aquatic Weeds (EDIS Pub #SS-AGR-44)
Torpedograss
Management Plan
Introduction
Torpedograss is one of the most serious weeds in Florida. It grows in or near shallow waters forming monocultures where it can quickly displace native vegetation. It can also be found in more upland situations and is a frequent problem in sod production. Native to Africa and/or Asia, 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. Torpedograss has not yet been listed on the Federal or State Noxious Weed List.
Description
Torpedograss is in the family Poaceae, including grasses such as cogongrass and bermudagrass. It is called torpedograss because of its sharply pointed or torpedo-like growing tips. Torpedograss can grow up to 3 feet tall, with 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. Torpedograss has a panicle-type inflorescence, 3-9 inches long. The spread of torpedograss is limited to rhizomes either by rhizome expansion or fragmentation. Seed does not germinate well under Florida conditions.
Impacts
By 1992, torpedograss had taken over 70% of Florida’s public waters. The largest infestations can be found in Lake Okeechobee where it displaces close to 7,000 acres of native marsh. Torpedograss management costs approximately $2 million a year in flood control systems. In Florida, torpedograss 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.
Management
Preventative
Preventive control can be accomplished by preventing the spread and fragmentation of rhizomes. This can be very difficult because if even a tiny fragment of rhizome is left in an area, it will reestablish itself. Control of infestations near waterways will prevent long-range spread via water and this should be a priority. If mowing or tillage is used, care must be taken to prevent transport of rhizome or stolon fragments.
Cultural
Weeds such as torpedograss generally invade open or disturbed areas – following a burn, clearing mowing, etc., so these areas are particularly vulnerable to invasion. Therefore, a healthy ecosystem with good species diversity will help to deter infestation.
Mechanical
Mechanical control is only moderately effective for torpedograss control. Continuous tillage will provide good control, but is often impractical in many natural areas. A single tillage operation may help to enhance herbicidal effectiveness, but disking alone may increase infestation levels through rhizome fragmentation. Mowing is only marginally effective.
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
Glyphosate has been the most effective herbicide used to control torpedograss. A 2 to 3% solution of glyphosate (Roundup, etc.) is very effective. Imazapyr (Arsenal, Chopper, Habitat) is also very effective at 0.5 to 1% solution. Be sure to include a non-ionic surfactant at 0.25% (10 mLs or 2 teaspoons per gallon of spray solution). These herbicides are systemic (move throughout plant tissue) so care must be exercised to minimize off-target damage. In addition, imazapyr has soil activity, so care must be exercised around sensitive species such as oaks (Quercus spp.). Torpedograss is most difficult to control when partially submersed in water. Regardless of habitat conditions, multiple resprays may be required for complete control.
References:
Brecke, B.J., J.B. Unruh, and J.A. Dusky. 2001. Torpedograss (Panicum repens) Control with Quinclorac in Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis) Turf. Weed Technology: Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 732–736.
Excerpted from
University of Florida, IFAS Extension, Circular 1529, Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida, 2008 by
Greg MacDonald, Associate Professor Jay Ferrell, Assistant Professor and Extension Weed Specialist
Brent Sellers, Assistant Professor and Extension Weed Specialist
Ken Langeland, Professor and Extension Weed Specialist Agronomy Department, Gainesville and Range Cattle REC, Ona
Tina Duperron-Bond, DPM – Osceola County
Eileen Ketterer-Guest, former Graduate Research Assistant
More Resources
View more information and pictures about torpedograss, as contained in the Langeland/Burks book, Identification & Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas.
View the herbarium specimen image from the University of Florida Herbarium Digital Imaging Projects.
For brief control information, see Efficacy of Herbicide Active Ingredients Against Aquatic Weeds by K. Langeland, M. Netherland, and W. Haller.
Citations
1. Identification and Biology of Nonnative Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas – Second Edition,
by K.A. Langeland, H.M. Cherry, et al. University of Florida-IFAS Publication # SP 257. 2008.
2. Strangers in Paradise, Impact and Management of Nonindigenous Species in Florida, Chapter 2: Florida’s Invasion by Nonindigenous Plants: History, Screening, and Regulation, by D.R.
Gordon and K.P. Thomas, pp. 21-37. Island Press, Washington, DC, 1997.
3. Invasive and Non-native Plants You Should Know – Recognition Cards,
by A. Richard and V. Ramey. University of Florida-IFAS Publication # SP 431. 2007.
4. Integrated Management of Nonnative Plants in Natural Areas of Florida, by K. A. Langeland, J. A. Ferrell, B. Sellers, G. E. MacDonald, and R. K. Stocker. University of Florida-IFAS Publication # SP 242. 2011.