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Bahiagrass Paspalum notatum

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
Pass-PAL-lum noh-TAY-tum
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

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:
  • 'Argentine'
    Considered better for lawns but is cold tender.
  • 'Pensacola'
'Argentine', 'Pensacola'
Tags:
#invasive#erosion control#fast growing#aggressive#creeping#warm-season grass#coarse#naturalizes#poor soils tolerant#weedy grass#forage#weed#sun#pasture
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Argentine'
    Considered better for lawns but is cold tender.
  • 'Pensacola'
'Argentine', 'Pensacola'
Tags:
#invasive#erosion control#fast growing#aggressive#creeping#warm-season grass#coarse#naturalizes#poor soils tolerant#weedy grass#forage#weed#sun#pasture
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Paspalum
    Species:
    notatum
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Forage for grazing animals; erosion control.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Turfgrass
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
    Fruit Description:
    V-shaped seed head with many small spikelets
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Sheathed green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Weedy