226 Species in Genus Sporobolus

Sporobolus: A Deep Dive with Ferb Vu

The world of grasses is vast and often overlooked. But for me, Ferb Vu, there’s a particular genus that holds a special fascination: Sporobolus. This diverse group of plants, commonly known as dropseeds, has captivated me with its resilience, adaptability, and understated beauty.

What is Sporobolus?

Sporobolus is a genus of grasses belonging to the family Poaceae. The name itself is derived from the Greek words “sporos” (seed) and “ballein” (to throw), aptly describing the way these plants disperse their seeds. With roughly 160 species distributed across the globe, Sporobolus can be found in a wide range of habitats, from arid deserts and coastal dunes to prairies and wetlands. This adaptability is a testament to the genus’s hardiness and evolutionary success.

A Diverse Genus

One of the things that I find most intriguing about Sporobolus is the sheer diversity within the genus. The plants vary significantly in size and appearance, ranging from small, delicate species like Sporobolus pulvinatus to tall, robust species like Sporobolus wrightii. This diversity is a reflection of the genus’s wide geographic distribution and its ability to adapt to different environmental conditions.

Sporobolus Species

1. Sporobolus acinifolius Stapf
2. Sporobolus actinocladus (F.Muell.) F.Muell.
3. Sporobolus aculeatus (L.) P.M.Peterson
4. Sporobolus acuminatus (Trin.) Hack.
5. Sporobolus adustus (Trin.) Roseng., B.R.Arrill. & Izag.
6. Sporobolus advenus (Stapf) P.M.Peterson
7. Sporobolus aeneus (Trin.) Kunth
8. Sporobolus africanus (Poir.) Robyns & Tournay
9. Sporobolus agrostoides Chiov.
10. Sporobolus airiformis Chiov.
11. Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr.
12. Sporobolus albicans (Nees ex Trin.) Nees
13. Sporobolus aldabrensis Renvoize
14. Sporobolus alopecuroides (Piller & Mitterp.) P.M.Peterson
15. Sporobolus alterniflorus (Loisel.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
16. Sporobolus amaliae Veldkamp
17. Sporobolus anglicus (C.E.Hubb.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
18. Sporobolus angustifolius A.Rich.
19. Sporobolus apiculatus Boechat & Longhi-Wagner
20. Sporobolus arcuatus (K.E.Rogers) P.M.Peterson
21. Sporobolus arenicola P.M.Peterson
22. Sporobolus atrovirens (Kunth) Kunth
23. Sporobolus australasicus Domin
24. Sporobolus bahamensis Hack.
25. Sporobolus bakeri (Merr.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
26. Sporobolus balansae Henrard
27. Sporobolus bechuanicus Gooss.
28. Sporobolus blakei B.K.Simon
29. Sporobolus bogotensis Swallen & García-Barr.
30. Sporobolus borszczowii (Regel) P.M.Peterson
31. Sporobolus bosseri A.Camus
32. Sporobolus brevipilis (Torr.) P.M.Peterson
33. Sporobolus brockmanii Stapf
34. Sporobolus buckleyi Vasey
35. Sporobolus caespitosus Kunth
36. Sporobolus camporum Swallen
37. Sporobolus capillaris Miq.
38. Sporobolus caroli Mez
39. Sporobolus centrifugus (Trin.) Nees
40. Sporobolus clandestinus (Biehler) Hitchc.
41. Sporobolus coahuilensis J.Valdés
42. Sporobolus coarctatus (Trin.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
43. Sporobolus collettii (Hook.f.) Bor
44. Sporobolus compactus Clayton
45. Sporobolus compositus (Poir.) Merr.
46. Sporobolus confinis (Steud.) Chiov.
47. Sporobolus congoensis Franch.
48. Sporobolus consimilis Fresen.
49. Sporobolus contiguus S.T.Blake
50. Sporobolus contractus Hitchc.
51. Sporobolus copei Verloove
52. Sporobolus cordofanus (Hochst. ex Steud.) Hérincq ex Coss.
53. Sporobolus coromandelianus (Retz.) Kunth
54. Sporobolus creber De Nardi
55. Sporobolus crucensis Renvoize
56. Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) A.Gray
57. Sporobolus cubensis Hitchc.
58. Sporobolus curtissii Small ex Kearney
59. Sporobolus cynosuroides (L.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
60. Sporobolus diandrus (Retz.) P.Beauv.
61. Sporobolus dinklagei Mez
62. Sporobolus discosporus Nees
63. Sporobolus disjunctus B.K.Simon
64. Sporobolus distichivaginatus R.W.Pohl
65. Sporobolus domingensis (Trin.) Kunth
66. Sporobolus durus Brongn.
67. Sporobolus × eatonianus P.M.Peterson & Saarela
68. Sporobolus elatior Bosser
69. Sporobolus elongatus R.Br.
70. Sporobolus engleri Pilg.
71. Sporobolus erectus Hitchc.
72. Sporobolus eximius (Nees ex Trin.) Ekman
73. Sporobolus factorovskyi (Eig) P.M.Peterson
74. Sporobolus farinosus Hosok.
75. Sporobolus fertilis (Steud.) Clayton
76. Sporobolus festivus Hochst. ex A.Rich.
77. Sporobolus fibrosus Cope
78. Sporobolus fimbriatus (Nees ex Trin.) Nees
79. Sporobolus flexuosus (Vasey) Rydb.
80. Sporobolus floridanus Chapm.
81. Sporobolus foliosus (Trin.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
82. Sporobolus fourcadei Stent
83. Sporobolus geminatus Clayton
84. Sporobolus giganteus Nash
85. Sporobolus gloeoclados Cope
86. Sporobolus hadjikyriakou (Raus & H.Scholz) P.M.Peterson
87. Sporobolus hajrae P.Umam. & P.Daniel
88. Sporobolus halophilus Bosser
89. Sporobolus hancei Rendle
90. Sporobolus harmandii Henrard
91. Sporobolus helvolus (Trin.) T.Durand & Schinz
92. Sporobolus heterolepis (A.Gray) A.Gray
93. Sporobolus hians Van Schaack
94. Sporobolus hintonii W.Hartley
95. Sporobolus hookerianus P.M.Peterson & Saarela
96. Sporobolus humilis J.Presl
97. Sporobolus indicus (L.) R.Br.
98. Sporobolus infirmus Mez
99. Sporobolus interruptus Vasey
100. Sporobolus ioclados (Nees ex Trin.) Nees
101. Sporobolus ivakoanyensis A.Camus
102. Sporobolus junceus (P.Beauv.) Kunth
103. Sporobolus kerrii Bor
104. Sporobolus lanuginellus Maire
105. Sporobolus lasiophyllus Pilg.
106. Sporobolus latzii B.K.Simon
107. Sporobolus laxus B.K.Simon
108. Sporobolus lenticularis S.T.Blake
109. Sporobolus linearifolius Nicora
110. Sporobolus linearis Mez
111. Sporobolus longispicus (Hauman & Parodi ex St.-Yves) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
112. Sporobolus ludwigii Hochst.
113. Sporobolus macer (Trin.) Hitchc.
114. Sporobolus macranthelus Chiov.
115. Sporobolus macrospermus Scribn. ex Beal
116. Sporobolus maderaspatanus Bor
117. Sporobolus maritimus (Curtis) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
118. Sporobolus maximus Hauman
119. Sporobolus megalospermus (F.Muell. ex Benth.) P.M.Peterson
120. Sporobolus mendocinus Méndez
121. Sporobolus metallicola Longhi-Wagner & Boechat
122. Sporobolus michauxianus (Hitchc.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
123. Sporobolus micranthus (Steud.) T.Durand & Schinz
124. Sporobolus microprotus Stapf
125. Sporobolus mildbraedii Pilg.
126. Sporobolus minarum Boechat & Longhi-Wagner
127. Sporobolus minimus Cope
128. Sporobolus minor Kunth
129. Sporobolus minuartioides (Bornm.) P.M.Peterson
130. Sporobolus minutus Link
131. Sporobolus mirabilis Pilg.
132. Sporobolus mitchellii (Trin.) C.E.Hubb.
133. Sporobolus mobberleyanus P.M.Peterson & Saarela
134. Sporobolus molleri Hack.
135. Sporobolus monandrus Roseng., B.R.Arrill. & Izag.
136. Sporobolus montanus Engl.
137. Sporobolus montevidensis (Arechav.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
138. Sporobolus mopane Cope
139. Sporobolus multinodis Hack.
140. Sporobolus multiramosus Longhi-Wagner & Boechat
141. Sporobolus myrianthus Benth.
142. Sporobolus natalensis (Steud.) T.Durand & Schinz
143. Sporobolus nealleyi Vasey
144. Sporobolus nebulosus Hack.
145. Sporobolus neglectus Nash
146. Sporobolus nervosus Hochst.
147. Sporobolus nesiotioides Longhi-Wagner, R.J.V.Alves & N.G.Silva
148. Sporobolus niliacus (Fig. & De Not.) P.M.Peterson
149. Sporobolus nitens Stent
150. Sporobolus novoguineensis Baaijens
151. Sporobolus nudiramus Boechat & Longhi-Wagner
152. Sporobolus olivaceus Napper
153. Sporobolus osceolensis E.L.Bridges & Orzell
154. Sporobolus oxyphyllus Fish
155. Sporobolus palmeri Scribn.
156. Sporobolus pamelae B.K.Simon
157. Sporobolus panicoides A.Rich.
158. Sporobolus paniculatus (Trin.) T.Durand & Schinz
159. Sporobolus partimpatens B.K.Simon
160. Sporobolus pauciflorus A.Chev.
161. Sporobolus paucifolius Boechat & Longhi-Wagner
162. Sporobolus pectinatus Hack.
163. Sporobolus pectinellus Mez
164. Sporobolus pellucidus Hochst.
165. Sporobolus perrieri A.Camus
166. Sporobolus phleoides Hack. ex Stuck.
167. Sporobolus piliferus (Trin.) Kunth
168. Sporobolus pinetorum Weakley & P.M.Peterson
169. Sporobolus platensis Parodi
170. Sporobolus potosiensis Wipff & S.D.Jones
171. Sporobolus pseudairoides Parodi
172. Sporobolus pulchellus R.Br.
173. Sporobolus pumilus (Roth) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
174. Sporobolus pungens (Schreb.) Kunth
175. Sporobolus purpurascens (Sw.) Ham.
176. Sporobolus pyramidalis P.Beauv.
177. Sporobolus pyramidatus (Lam.) Hitchc.
178. Sporobolus quadratus Clayton
179. Sporobolus ramigerus (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett & P.M.Peterson
180. Sporobolus recurvatus Boechat & Longhi-Wagner
181. Sporobolus reflexus Boechat & Longhi-Wagner
182. Sporobolus rhizomatosus (Steud.) T.Durand & Schinz
183. Sporobolus rigens (Trin.) É.Desv.
184. Sporobolus rigidifolius (Trin.) Mez ex Veldkamp
185. Sporobolus rigidus (Buckley) P.M.Peterson
186. Sporobolus robustus Kunth
187. Sporobolus ruspolianus Chiov.
188. Sporobolus salsus Mez
189. Sporobolus sanguineus Rendle
190. Sporobolus scabridus S.T.Blake
191. Sporobolus schoenoides (L.) P.M.Peterson
192. Sporobolus sciadocladus Ohwi
193. Sporobolus scitulus Clayton
194. Sporobolus sessilis B.K.Simon
195. Sporobolus silveanus Swallen
196. Sporobolus somalensis Chiov.
197. Sporobolus spartinae (Trin.) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
198. Sporobolus spicatus (Vahl) Kunth
199. Sporobolus spiciformis Swallen
200. Sporobolus splendens Swallen
201. Sporobolus stapfianus Gand.
202. Sporobolus stolzii Mez
203. Sporobolus subglobosus A.Chev.
204. Sporobolus subtilis Kunth
205. Sporobolus subulatus Hack.
206. Sporobolus temomairemensis Judz. & P.M.Peterson
207. Sporobolus tenellus (A.Spreng.) Kunth
208. Sporobolus tenuissimus (Mart. ex Schrank) Kuntze
209. Sporobolus teretifolius R.M.Harper
210. Sporobolus testudinum Renvoize
211. Sporobolus tetragonus Bor
212. Sporobolus texanus Vasey
213. Sporobolus tourneuxii Coss.
214. Sporobolus × townsendii (H.Groves & J.Groves) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
215. Sporobolus trichodes Hitchc.
216. Sporobolus tsiafajavonensis A.Camus
217. Sporobolus turkestanicus (Eig) P.M.Peterson
218. Sporobolus uniglumis Stent & J.M.Rattray
219. Sporobolus vaginiflorus (Torr. ex A.Gray) Alph.Wood
220. Sporobolus vaseyi P.M.Peterson
221. Sporobolus versicolor (E.Fabre) P.M.Peterson & Saarela
222. Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth
223. Sporobolus viscidus Sohns
224. Sporobolus wallichii Munro ex Thwaites
225. Sporobolus welwitschii Rendle
226. Sporobolus wrightii Scribn.

Ecological Importance

Beyond their ornamental value, Sporobolus grasses play a vital role in many ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for a variety of animals, from small insects to large grazing mammals. Their extensive root systems help to stabilize soils and prevent erosion, making them important components of healthy grasslands and prairies.

My Personal Connection

My interest in Sporobolus stems from a deep appreciation for the natural world and a desire to understand the intricate relationships between plants and their environment. I am particularly drawn to the genus’s resilience and adaptability, qualities that I believe we can all learn from. In a world facing increasing environmental challenges, Sporobolus serves as a reminder of the importance of biodiversity and the power of nature to persist and thrive.

Future Research

As I continue to explore the world of Sporobolus, I am eager to learn more about the genus’s evolutionary history, genetic diversity, and ecological roles. I am particularly interested in the potential of Sporobolus species to be used in habitat restoration and sustainable agriculture. I believe that by understanding and appreciating these remarkable grasses, we can gain valuable insights into the natural world and develop more sustainable ways of living.

Conclusion

Sporobolus may not be the most glamorous genus in the plant kingdom, but it is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating. Its diversity, resilience, and ecological importance make it a worthy subject of study and admiration. I encourage everyone to take a closer look at the grasses around them and appreciate the beauty and complexity of this often-overlooked group of plants.