Paspalum notatum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- Pass-PAL-lum noh-TAY-tum
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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Bahiagrass is a subtropical perennial in the grass family (Poaceae) and is native to South America. It was introduced into the U.S. in Florida as a forage grass around 1913. The genus name is derived from the Greek paspalos, meaning millet, and the species epithet is Latin for "marked."
Bahiagrass has a mat-forming habit with a light green color, coarse texture, and open canopy. It is mostly used as forage for grazing animals and as erosion control in roadsides and other difficult areas. It requires minimal maintenance and is easy to establish by seed with fewer disease and insect problems than other warm-season grasses. It is not recommended as a turfgrass due to the tall seed heads, difficulty in mowing, and open canopy.
The grass spreads by shallow rhizomes and roots from nodes. The grass grows to about 1 foot tall if not mowed. The inflorescence grows up to 2 feet tall and consists of a Y-shaped seed head with many small spikelets.
Bahiagrass prefers a pH lower than 6.5, sandy loam soil, and full sun. It tolerates low-nutrient soils and drought.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Often considered a weed in turfgrass.
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:
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- 'Argentine'
Considered better for lawns but is cold tender. - 'Pensacola'
- 'Argentine'
- 'Argentine', 'Pensacola'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Argentine'
Considered better for lawns but is cold tender. - 'Pensacola'
- 'Argentine'
- 'Argentine', 'Pensacola'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Paspalum
- Species:
- notatum
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Forage for grazing animals; erosion control.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Turfgrass
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Creeping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- 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:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- V-shaped seed head with many small spikelets
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The inflorescence consists of 2 spike-like racemes in a v-shape with multiple tiny spikelets.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green linear leaves up to 12 inches long and 0.2 inches wide with a sharp pointed tip. They are rolled in the bud and may appear folded. May have a few hairs on the margin near the base. The sheath is open, sharply creased and glossy.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Sheathed green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Drought
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Weedy