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| ## torpedo grass {#torpedo-grass .Title-Header}                       |
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| *Panicum repens* L.                                                   |
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| Plant Symbol = PARE3                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA, NRCS, Louisiana State Office, National Plant Data
Center, & the Grazing Land Conservation Initiative-South Central Region

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.39375in" height="3.8979166666666667in"}

## Alternative Names

Bullet grass, bullet grass, coastal bermuda grass, couch panicum,
creeping panic, dogtooth grass, panic rampant, quack grass, torpedo
grass, wainaku grass. A synonym of torpedo grass is *Panicum gouinii*.

## Uses

*Livestock:* It was once used for cattle in the 1920s and is resistant
to grazing and trampling; however, better forages are now available that
has higher quality and does not create the potential weed problems that
torpedo grass did.

*Wildlife*: Waterfowl and songbirds regularly use torpedo grass. It is
an excellent forage plant for several mammals.

*Erosion Control:* Torpedo grass is recommended for the use of shoreline
stabilization. It may be used in

areas that have periods of both inundation as well as drought.

*Conservation Practices*: Torpedo grass, because of its growth habit,
potentially has application when established with certain conservation
practices; however, conservation practice standards vary by state. For
localized information, consult your local NRCS Field Office.

## Status

Consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status
and wetland indicator values.

## Description

*General*: Grass Family (Poaceae). It is a warm season, rhizomatous
perennial, which may form extensive colonies. The rhizomes have
characteristic torpedo-like apexes, hence the common name torpedo grass.
The culms are erect, glabrous, and rigid and range in height from 12 to
31 inches. The sheaths are glabrous or pubescent with thin and dry
margins. The leaf blades are mostly short, flat, or rolled in tightly.
If flat, the blades are approximately ¹∕8 inch wide and if folded, the
blades are approximately ¼ inch wide. The ligules are membranous with
fringed hair surrounding them. The panicles are open, loose, 4 to 7
inches long, and with strongly ascending branches. The spikelets are
straw colored and ¹∕16 inch long. The first glume is short and truncate.
The second glume and sterile lemma are about equal in size and apically
acute to acuminate with 7 to 9 weak nerves. The sterile pale is thin and
dry. The fertile lemma and palea are straw colored and sharply angled.
The caryopsis is pale yellow and oval in shape.

## Distribution

Torpedo grass is found in marshy shores along the Gulf Coast from
Florida to Texas and along tropical and subtropical coasts around the
world. It is also found in disturbed sites, canals, and in poorly
drained soil. It is possibly introduced to Louisiana and the United
States. Linneaus in Europe first described torpedo grass in 1762. It was
first collected in North America near Mobile, Alabama in 1876. For
current distribution, consult the Plant Profile page for this species on
the PLANTS Web site.

## Establishment

*Adaptation*: It may grow off shores and into water up to 6 feet deep
forming a thick dense floating mat. Torpedo grass begins to grow in
February and the seeds are formed in July. They cannot tolerate cold
weather and will die after the first frost. The dry grass in winter
retains a relatively high nutrient content. Once established, torpedo
grass is difficult to eradicate. It can be distributed by using improper
soil sanitation and by tilling and fertilizing. Torpedo grass is
tolerant of drought and partial shade, and can grow on heavy upland
soils. It thrives best on moist to wet sandy or organic soil.

Torpedo grass is propagated by seed or by plant division; however the
best propagation method is through plant division. The seeds are
variable in abundance and viability.

The rhizomes can be dug and cut into segments, which will then sprout
new shoots. The stems may also be cut and propagated.

It is not recommended to mix torpedo grass seeds with cool season grass
seeds. In parts of the United States where cool season grasses dominate,
the warm season grasses can be taken over because they develop slower
than the cool season grasses. It is also recommended that seed not be
moved more than 300 miles north, 100 miles east or west, or 200 miles
south of its point of origin.

## Management

To maintain existing torpedo grass colonies, avoid long term deep
flooding and abusive livestock grazing. The plant prospers with periodic
fire provided sufficient soil moisture is present to avoid scorching
root systems. Once established, it is difficult to kill. Check with the
local extension service for recommended herbicides. Torpedo grass has no
known pests or problems.

## Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Contact your local NRCS Field Office. Common seed and container plants
are readily available from a number of growers, wholesalers, and
retailers of native seed.

## References

Hitchcock, A.S. 1950. *Manual of the grasses of the United States*. USDA
Miscellaneous Publication No 200. Agricultural Research Administration,
Washington, D.C. Pp. 697.

Texas A&M University 1997. *Grass images: Panicum repens*.
\<http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/taesgrass/4644100e.jpg\>.
Bioinformatics Working Group, College Station, Texas.

USDA NRCS 2003. *The PLANTS database*. Version: 10aug03. National Plant
Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA. \<http://plants.usda.gov\>

## Prepared By

# *Selena Dawn Newman*

USDA, NRCS, Louisiana State Office

# *Maraya Gates*

Formerly of USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

## Species Coordinator

# *Mike Materne*

Louisiana State University, Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Edited 06dec00 jsp;05feb03ahv; 10aug03 jsp; 25may06jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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