Tropic Lalo Paspalum
Paspalum hieronymii
Summary
- Tropical and subtropical low-growing stoloniferous grass
- Used as a ground cover in orchards (macadamia, coffee)
- Used for erosion control in waterways, roadsides and eroding areas
- Requires infrequent mowing
- Dense growth habit crowds out weeds
- Established from sprigs (stem cuttings)
- Does not tolerate long, dry periods
Common Name
Tropic Lalo paspalum is the common name (USDA Program Aid).
Scientific Name
The scientific name is Paspalum hieronymii Hack (USDA Program Aid).
Cultivar
'Tropic Lalo' is the only reported cultivar.
Seed Description
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Seedling Description
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Mature Plant Description
Tropic Lalo is a low-growing, rapidly spreading, stoloniferous grass that usually attains a height of about 12 inches (30 cm) but may reach a height of 24 inches (60 cm) under moist, fertile conditions. The leaves are linear, approximately 3 to 9 inches (8-23 cm) long and 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide. Coarse hairs about 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1.6 to 3 mm) long cover the leaves and stems. The flowering stems are semi-erect and 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) high, depending upon soil fertility (USDA Program Aid).
Temperature
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Origin and Geographic Distribution
No information is available in this database about the origin of Tropic Lalo. Areas of adaptation include Guam, Puerto Rico, the Hawaiian Islands below and elevation of 3,000 feet and the subtropical part of southern Florida. Itsadaptation to the continental United States is not well known, but it may be adapted to other coastal areas in the South and Southwest (USDA Program Aid).
Ecology
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Water
Tropic Lalo is well adapted to subtropical areas that have an annual rainfall of 40 to 100 inches (approximately 1000-2500 mm). If irrigated, it will grow well in drier areas. It does not tolerate long, dry periods. It is quite resistant to water erosion. It is somewhat tolerant of low-lying soils that tend to stay wet but not waterlogged. Newly established plants are susceptible to drought (USDA Program Aid).
Nutrients
It is somewhat tolerant of infertile soils. It responds to fertilizer nitrogen at rates of up to 200 lb/ac/year (224 kg/ha/yr). Once established fertilizer applications may not be necessary. In orchards, the fertilizer used by trees should provide sufficient nutrients (USDA Program Aid).
Soil pH
Tropic Lalo tolerates pH conditions from 4.5 to 7.5 (USDA Program Aid).
Soil Type
Tropic Lalo is adapted to a wide range of soil textures from coarse to fine (USDA Program Aid).
Shade Tolerance
It tolerates 50-60% shade. Under shaded conditions, growth is slower and a less dense mat forms (USDA Program Aid).
Salinity Tolerance
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Herbicide Sensitivity
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Life Cycle
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Seeding Rate
Seed production is sparse; about 1-2% of viable seed are produced. Tropic Lalo is established from sprigs (USDA Program Aid).
Seeding Depth
Not applicable.
Seeding Method
Not applicable.
Seeding Dates
Not applicable.
Inoculation
Not applicable.
Seed Cost
No seed available.
Seed Availability
Not available.
Days to Flowering
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Days to Maturity
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Seed Production
Tropic Lalo is propagated vegetatively. A small nursery for planting larger areas can easily be established from a few vegetative sprigs or stolons.
Seed Storage
Not applicable.
Growth Habit
Tropic Lalo is a low growing, rapidly spreading, stoloniferous grass. It requires only infrequent mowing and has such dense growth that it crowds out weeds. When mowed weekly or biweekly, it becomes matlike and makes a coarse but acceptable turf for lawns or pathways (USDA Program Aid).
Maximum Height
Tropic Lalo usually attains a height of about 12 inches (30 cm) but may reach 24 inches (60 cm) under moist, fertile conditions (USDA Program Aid).
Root System
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Establishment
Tropic Lalo is established from sprigs (stem cuttings) planted on grids that range from 12 by 12 inches up to 36 by 36 inches. Sprigs may be broadcast and lightly covered with a disk or planted in furrows that are 1 to 3 or more feet apart. The minimum planting rate should be no less than 40 bushels of sprigs or stolons per acre. Higher rates may be required in closer spacings.
In plantings of 12 by 12 inches, complete cover may be achieved in six weeks. The areas to be planted must be moist and irrigated, as the sprigs and newly established plants are susceptible to drought.
Seedbed preparation may be minimal, using herbicides or disking, or both to control weeds. However, a well-prepared seedbed is preferred. Frequent mowing may control weeds (USDA Program Aid).
Maintenance
Tropic Lalo responds to fertilizer nitrogen at rates of up to 200 lb/ac/year (224 kg/ha/hr). Once established fertilizer applications may not be necessary. In orchards, the fertilizer used by trees should provide sufficient nutrients (USDA Program Aid).
Mowing
Tropic Lalo needs infrequent mowing unless a closely cut turf is required, such as for a lawn or for macadamia nut orchards. Mowing may be necessary 6 to 30 times a year, depending upon use and location. The cutting height may be less than 1 inch (2.5 cm), as recovery is good (USDA Program Aid).
Incorporation
Not applicable. Not generally used as a green manure.
Harvesting
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Equipment
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Uses
- Ground cover in orchards (coffee, macadamia). It is especially useful for access roads and other areas bearing equipment traffic.
- For erosion control in waterways, roadsides, and other erosion-prone areas. It will trap large amounts of sediment if grown in waterways.
Mixtures
Tropic Lalo may be grown in association with and obtain its nitrogen from legumes such as white clover (Trifolium repens), big trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), or the Desmodiums (Desmodium spp.).
Biomass
No information is available in this database on this topic.
N Contribution
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Non-N Nutrient Contribution
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Effects on Water
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Effects on Soil
Tropic Lalo will trap large amounts of sediment if grown in waterways (USDA Program Aid).
Effects on Livestock
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Pest Effects, Insects
Tropic Lalo can be damaged by the grass webworm Terpetogramma licarsisalis (Walker). (USDA Program Aid).
Pest Effects, Nematodes
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Pest Effects, Diseases
No reports have been made of significant damage cause by plant pathogens in Hawaii (USDA Program Aid).
Pest Effects, Weeds
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Pest Effects, Vertebrates
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Uses in the Pacific Region
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Uses in Hawai`i
The Hawai`i Natural Resources Conservation Service Technical Guide, Section IV, Code 340 Cover and Green Manure Crop includes Tropic Lalo paspalum. Their specification describes Tropic Lalo as follows:
- Tolerates acid/low fertility soils;
- pH range from 4.5-7.0;
- Planting rate 40-80 bu/ac (sprigs or stolons, maximum 3x3 ft. spacing),
- Low maintenance required;
- Fair shade tolerance;
- Fair drought tolerance;
- Rainfall range of 40+ inches;
- Rapid rate of establishment;
- Elevation range from 0-4000 ft.
Several farmers in Kona (Hawai`i Island) report being very satisfied with Tropic Lalo in coffee plantations with the only negative being the fact that it must be sprigged to be established.
References
1986. 'Tropic Lalo' paspalum. Program Aid - United States Department of Agriculture. pp. 6.
Evans, Dale O., Joy, Robert J., & Chia, C.L., 1988. Cover Crops for Orchards in Hawaii. Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, United Stated. 16 pp.
Joy, Robert J., Rotar, Peter P. September 1999. 'Tropic Lalo' Paspalum for Soil Erosion Control, TM-10. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, USA. 2 pp.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Hawai`i Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV, Code 340 "Cover and Green Manure Crop" May 1992. Pacific Islands Area Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG) - East Area
Information last updated on 9/23/02.