Gymnopogon brevifolius Trin.

Shortleaf Skeletongrass

Natural range: Extends from the U. S. to South America

Habitat: Wet flatwoods

Florida status: Native

Recognition: Plant short (to 9 cm) and rhizomatous. Often grows with G. ambiguus and differs by having shorter, narrower leaves (2-8 cm X 2-8 mm vs. 2.5-12 cm X 5-10 mm), shorter lemma awns (.8-1 mm vs. 4-12.2 mm), and usually having panicle branches that are naked of spikelets for the lower third.