Bahiagrass
Paspalum notatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass, Utility Lawn, and Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. Excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns brown during winter frosts, recovering rapidly when temperatures warm up.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae
Variety / Cultivar
Argentine or Pensacola (common utility cultivars known for deep roots and persistence)
About This Grass
Bahiagrass forms a somewhat coarse, open turf of medium to light green color. Unmowed, it can reach heights of 18 to 30 inches due to its distinctive, V-shaped twin raceme seed heads resembling small pitchforks. It has a rough texture and becomes somewhat stemmy as it matures.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-coarse in width (approx 3-8 mm), flat or folded, with pointed tips and smooth margins. Vernation is folded in the bud. The collar is broad and continuous, with a membranous ligule and a lack of auricles.
Root System
Extremely deep, tough, and fibrous root system that can penetrate several feet into the soil, providing exceptional drought resistance and good erosion control, though it can form a thick thatch layer over time.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to South America (Argentina, Brazil); widely naturalized in the southeastern United States and tropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and rhizomatous, forming a coarse, tough turf with a moderate to fast spread via robust, scaly rhizomes and above-ground runners
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal growth, though it exhibits moderate shade tolerance compared to other warm-season grasses. High drought tolerance once established due to deep roots; requires moderate watering during dry spells to maintain green color. Prefers sandy, acidic soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Low to medium maintenance. Mowing height should be maintained between 2.0 to 3.0 inches using a sharp blade because the tough seed stems dull mowers quickly. Requires minimal fertilization (1 to 2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually) and occasional dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and drought recovery. Highly resistant to many common turf pests and diseases. Tolerates poor, infertile, and sandy soils very well, making it ideal for low-input lawns, roadsides, and pastures.
Ecological Information
Often utilized as an introduced pasture grass for livestock grazing as well as for roadside stabilization. Provides good erosion control on sandy slopes, though it can act as a persistent weed in finer managed turfgrass settings.