Amazon Sprangletop (Leptochloa Panicoides)
Poaceae (Grass family)
Group: Monocot (Grass)
A tufted and erect summer annual grass native of Brazil, commonly found in cultivated fields and wet areas including rice fields.
Seedling has a membranous ligule; leaf blades are rough or smooth.
Leaves of mature plants are flat, smooth, occasionally hairy on the margins, with rough margins. Leaf sheaths are smooth or rough, tightly compressed at the base, and the lowermost parts are keeled. Leaf blade has a green midrib. Ligule is long, membranous with a squared off top.
Stem is stiffly erect, up to 3 feet tall, branched, and rough.
Flower is an erect, spreading and branched panicle, 5 to 12 inches long.
Propagation is by seed.
Roots are shallow and fibrous.