Sporobolus cryptandrus

Species category

Revegetation or Rangeland

Common name

sand dropseed

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

CaryopsisCaryopsis:
The single-seeded fruit or grain of the grass family (Poaceae); the fruit wall (pericarp) is united with the seed coat (testa).

Shape

Compressed oval 

Size

  • Length 0.8–1 mm 
  • Width 0.5–0.7 mm 
  • Thickness 0.2–0.4 mm 

Color

Light brown caryopsisCaryopsis:
The single-seeded fruit or grain of the grass family (Poaceae); the fruit wall (pericarp) is united with the seed coat (testa).
, white lemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.
and paleaPalea:
One of the thin bracts of grass floret enclosing the fruit (caryopsis) that is located on the side opposite the embryo.

Texture

Smooth and glabrousGlabrous:
Lacking hairs or pubescence.

Lemma

Papery and long pointed

Palea

Papery and often splitting at maturity

Other structures

EmbryoEmbryo:
A rudimentary plant contained in a seed, usually consisting of a more or less differentiated axis and attached cotyledon(s).
is half the length of the caryopsisCaryopsis:
The single-seeded fruit or grain of the grass family (Poaceae); the fruit wall (pericarp) is united with the seed coat (testa).
.

Identification notes

Species mostly found as a caryopsisCaryopsis:
The single-seeded fruit or grain of the grass family (Poaceae); the fruit wall (pericarp) is united with the seed coat (testa).
in commerce. CaryopsisCaryopsis:
The single-seeded fruit or grain of the grass family (Poaceae); the fruit wall (pericarp) is united with the seed coat (testa).
is translucent and the surface is smooth with undulations.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet, Sporobolus spp.

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) A. Gray

Synonyms

Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) A. Gray var. strictus Scribn.

 Sporobolus neglectus.  Caryopsis with an embryo that is half the length of the caryopsis. From Left to Right: 1. Bottom.  Sporobolus neglectus  2. Bottom.  Sporobolus airoides  3. Bottom.  Sporobolus clandestinus  4. Top.  Sporobolus compositus  5. Top.  Sporobolus giganteus  6. Top.  Sporobolus cryptandrus .
Sporobolus neglectus. Caryopsis with an embryo that is half the length of the caryopsis. From Left to Right: 1. Bottom. Sporobolus neglectus 2. Bottom. Sporobolus airoides 3. Bottom. Sporobolus clandestinus 4. Top. Sporobolus compositus 5. Top. Sporobolus giganteus 6. Top. Sporobolus cryptandrus.
 Sporobolus cryptandrus . From Left to Right:  1.  Sporobolus compositus  2.  Sporobolus airoides  3.  Sporobolus cryptandrus  .Caryopsis with an embryo that is half the length of the caryopsis.
Sporobolus cryptandrus. From Left to Right:  1. Sporobolus compositus 2. Sporobolus airoides 3. Sporobolus cryptandrus .Caryopsis with an embryo that is half the length of the caryopsis.
 Sporobolus cryptandrus . Caryopsis that is translucent and the surface is smooth with undulations.
Sporobolus cryptandrus. Caryopsis that is translucent and the surface is smooth with undulations.