smut grass
Definition
Noun: 1. A type of grass: A perennial grass species (Sporobolus indicus var. capensis, formerly S. poiretii) characterized by tufted, wiry stems. It is native to the West Indies but has become common and is often considered a weed in the southern United States and other warm regions. It is frequently associated with a dark fungal infestation (a smut) that affects the seed heads.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The pasture was overrun with tough, wiry smut grass.
- Farmers try to control smut grass because it competes with more desirable forage plants.
- The characteristic dark fungus on the seed heads makes smut grass easy to identify.
Advanced Usage
- As a botanical specimen: The term is used specifically in botany, agriculture, and ecology to identify this particular weedy grass species and its association with the smut fungus.
- In agricultural contexts: It often appears in discussions about pasture management, weed control, and plant pathology due to its invasive nature and fungal symbiosis.
Variants and Related Words
- Dropseed, Wiregrass: Common names sometimes used for this or closely related grass species in the genus.
- Smut (noun): A type of plant disease caused by fungi, especially of the order Ustilaginales, which produce sooty, spore-filled masses. This is the "smut" referenced in the grass's name.
Synonyms
- Indian dropseed
- Poirier's dropseed (from a former botanical name)
Notes on Meaning
The primary meaning is botanical. The name is descriptive, combining "smut" (referring to the dark fungal disease commonly found on it) with "grass" (its plant type). It does not have idiomatic or phrasal verb uses.
Noun
-
grass native to West Indies but common in southern United States having tufted wiry stems often infested with a dark fungus
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