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Eremochloa ophiuroides is often confused with:
Stenotaphrum secundatum Spike with flowers (Guilford County, NC)-Mid Summer
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Bouteloua dactyloides shoots with stolons and short grassy foliage.
Coreopsis tripteris leaves and flowers
Salvia microphylla Form
Eremochloa ophiuroides has some common insect problems:
Wireworms in Turf
Green June Beetles in Turfgrass
Eremochloa ophiuroides has some common disease problems:
Centipedegrass

Eremochloa ophiuroides

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Ischaemum ophiuroides
Phonetic Spelling
Er-ree-moh-KLO-ah oh-fee-ur-OY-dees
Description

Centipedegrass is a warm-season stoloniferous turfgrass in the Poaceae family that forms thick sods, spreads by stolons and is native to South China. It is a light green coarsely leaved turfgrass that is best used as a low-maintenance, general-purpose lawn in the south. It has medium shade tolerance and limited traffic tolerance. It is valued for its infrequent mowing and fertilization requirements.

Centipedegrass prefers full sun to part shade conditions in acidic soil. It does not tolerate traffic, compaction, high soil pH, high soil phosphorus, excessive thatch, drought, or heavy shade. It is best started with sod. Establishment by seed can take 2 or 3 years for full coverage.

Mow this grass when it is between 1 to 2 inches high to prevent excessive thatch formation. It may need to be dethatched every 2 or 3 years. As it is shallow-rooted, take care when dethatching. The seedheads will grow 3 to 5 inches tall.

'TifBlair' is a cultivar developed by the University of Georgia that is quicker to establish, more cold tolerant and retains its green color later into the fall.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems. Increased disease potential if over-fertilized and/or over-watered such as fungal infections.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common southern lawn diseases.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Centennial'
    Performs a little better on alkaline soils
  • 'Common'
  • 'TifBlair'
    Improved cultivar for lawns
'Centennial', 'Common', 'TifBlair'
Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#low maintenance#stolons#spreading#warm-season grass#humidity tolerant#turfgrass#full sun#partial shade
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Centennial'
    Performs a little better on alkaline soils
  • 'Common'
  • 'TifBlair'
    Improved cultivar for lawns
'Centennial', 'Common', 'TifBlair'
Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#low maintenance#stolons#spreading#warm-season grass#humidity tolerant#turfgrass#full sun#partial shade
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eremochloa
    Species:
    ophiuroides
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Turfgrass
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Spikelets mature to brown
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Spike-like raceme 3 to 5 inches in length and purple in color.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The light green leaves are smooth on both surfaces, and the tips are moderately pointed to blunt. The leaf has short hairs on the ligule, folded venation and a white midvein.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Horizontal to erect green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity