About

More Info

Distribution

Care FAQ

Related Plants

Home > Plant Encyclopedia > Para grass

Add to My Garden

Para grass

Brachiaria mutica

Also known as: Parana, Giant couch, Scotch grass, California grass

Para grass is a vigorous, semi-prostrate perennial grass with creeping stolons which can grow up to 5 m long. The stems have hairy nodes and leaf sheaths and the leaf blades are up to 2 cm wide and 30 cm long. The flower-head is a loose panicle up to 30 cm long with spreading branches. The paired spikelets are arranged in uneven rows and are elliptical and 2.5 to 5 mm long. The rachis is tinged with purple.

More Info

Plant Type

Grass

Bloom Time

Summer, Fall

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Monocotyledons

Order

Grasses, sedges and allies

Family

Grass

Genus

Signalgrasses

Species

Para grass

Distribution Map

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Related Plants

Bloodberry

The bloodberry is a vine-like herb that can reach heights of 40 to 200 cm. It produces a bright red berry as a fruit that is tested to be safe to consume. The juice made from these berries was once used as a dye and ink.

Common mallow

The common mallow is an ornamental plant with a large variety of cultivars. It has historically also been used to create a yellow dye. Common mallow seeds are shaped roughly like cheese wheels, leading the seeds (and sometimes the plant itself) being called "cheeses."

Common mullein

Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) has been cultivated by farmers and gardeners since colonial times. This herb has a thick stem and leaves covered with a layer of “fur” that feels like flannel. Today, it grows wild in many areas of the U.S., including roadsides and vacant lots. Flowers of common mullein are occasionally brewed into a tea.

Asian copperleaf

Asian copperleaf or Acalypha australis is a perennial weed with spikes of small, copper-red flowers. Once thought to be found only in the New York area, this weed has also been discovered throughout the United States.

Rose of sharon

Hibiscus syriacus is a deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped pink, lavender, or white flowers. Although it was first collected by Western botanists from Syrian gardens, “rose of sharon” is native to south-central and southeastern China. Because of its hardiness and prolific blooming, it is cultivated all around the world. It is the national flower of South Korea, mentioned in its national anthem.

Indian coral tree

Indian coral tree (Erythrina variegata) is a tropical and sub-tropical shade tree often planted singly in wide-open landscaping areas. It flowers in spring, and its seedpods are poisonous. Indian coral tree flowers are important symbols in Sri Lankan New Year traditions are also considered the official flower of Okinawa. The wood has economic value and is often used as a construction material.

View More Plants

Useful Tips

Best Perennial Plant to Grow

Plant Collection Best Perennial Plant to Grow Orange daylily See More The Orange daylily is a perennial plant known for its captivating lily-like blooms. Its natural habitats are meadows and forests, but it is also a common garden plant in temperate regions around the world. Each individual flower lasts only a day, but the plantContinue reading “Best Perennial Plant to Grow”

Useful Tips

Best Perennial Plant to Grow

Plant Collection Best Perennial Plant to Grow China rose See More The China rose (Rosa chinensis) is a Southwest China native. The plant has been cultivated for so long that it has become hard to tell the difference between wild and cultivated varieties. With medium-sized clusters of flowers and a long blooming season, it isContinue reading “Best Perennial Plant to Grow”

View More Articles

Add to My Garden

Para grass

Brachiaria mutica

Also known as: Parana, Giant couch, Scotch grass, California grass