smut grass
Sporobolus indicus
When the seeds get wet, they release a sticky gelatinous coating that glues them to the fur or feet of passing animals.
- Scientific name
- Sporobolus indicus
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Liliopsida › Poales › Poaceae › Sporobolus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Pastures, roadsides, turfgrass, waste places, and open grasslands
- Diet
- Autotroph (photosynthetic)
- Range
- North America, South America, Central America, Africa, Asia, Australia, Pacific Islands
- Size
- Clump-forming bunchgrass 30–120 cm tall
- Lifespan
- 3–10 yr
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Herbicide applications, mechanical tillage, and competitive pasture management
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to touch. The plant is non-toxic to humans, but disturbing infected flower heads releases black fungal spores that can irritate eyes or respiratory tracts in sensitive individuals. Wash hands after handling.
Sporobolus indicus is a species of grass known by the common name smut grass .
Photo: 葉子, CC0, via iNaturalist
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