Red Sprangletop
Leptochloa panicea brachiata
(Leptochloa filiformis)
This image of Red Sprangletop, Leptochloa panicea brachiata, found in the New River Mountains along Camp Creek, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA on 7 Nov. 2010 was created using a flat-bed scanner.
ANNUAL GRASS: Normally a small to medium-sized grass rarely taller than
20 cm in the Sonoran Desert. Plants more robust under prolonged,
moist growing conditions. Several stems rising from a weak root system.
Blooming after monsoon season in autumn months.
RANGE: Can be found in recently flooded washes and riparian corridors as
the soil dries. Occasional at margins of agricultural, highways, and in moist,
weedy areas.
LEAVES: Leaf blades are medium (mostly < 15 cm long) and a few mm
wide. Leaves and inflorescence may appear reddish or purple, esp. as
late-season cool temperatures set in.
SPIKES: Slender lateral branches many, each a spike of spikelets and
each spikelet with 2 to 4+ florets. Glumes and lemmas without awns.
UNARMED