Leptochloa fusca
Images by part: leaf (2) · flower (2) · fruit (1) · bark (1) · habit (2) · other (1)

Leptochloa fusca

Brown Beetle-grass · Beetlegrass · Brown silvertop grass · Malabar sprangletop · Bearded sprangletop

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
15–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 8–11
Click count
6
Observations
14

Description

Source: leafsnap

Diplachne fusca, called bearded sprangletop, is a widespread species of grass in the genus Diplachne, native to North America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, and introduced in Europe, New Zealand and Hawaii, among other places. It prefers to live in salty, wet conditions, such as in salt marshes and shallow depressions.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Brown beetle-grass is a perennial herbaceous species that prefers sunny sites and is native to open habitats, frequently found in meadows and grasslands. It favors full sun but can tolerate partial sun.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C

Brown beetle-grass comes from tropical areas, where the climate is usually warm and humid. Consequently, it is well suited to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate abrupt temperature changes and prefers a steady thermal environment, so avoiding temperature fluctuations indoors is important. It generally cannot stand cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 15–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

Brown beetle-grass needs extra nutrients to encourage healthy new growth. In spring, applying compost around the base of the plant can effectively supply the nutrition it requires. Fertilizing supports vigorous growth and helps the plant fend off diseases and pests.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Grass
Life Cycle
Perennial, Annual
Genus
Leptochloa
Family
Poaceae
Hardiness Zone
8-11
Mature Height
0.1 m to 1.07 m
Mature Spread
20 cm to 40 cm
Leaf Color
Light Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen
Flower Color
Yellow, Green, Brown
Flower Size
15.24 cm to 25.40 cm
Bloom Time
Summer, Early fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall

Tags (6)

Common Names (6)

en Brown Beetle-grass
en Beetlegrass
en Brown silvertop grass
en Malabar sprangletop
en Bearded sprangletop
en Sprangletop