Tropical Carpetgrass
Axonopus compressus · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paspaleae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common (No specific cultivar identified)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy early and stays brown longer than other warm-season grasses
About This Grass
A low-growing, creeping perennial that forms a coarse-textured mat. It is characterized by its light to medium green color and wide, blunt-tipped leaves. Seed heads are slender, two-fingered spikes (racemes) on tall stalks.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (4-12mm), flat or folded, rounded/blunt tips, folded vernation, ciliate (hairy) margins near the base, very short hairy ligule, no auricles
Root System
Shallow fibrous roots arising from stolon nodes; low thatch tendency; fast establishment in moist conditions but poor drought recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Central America, West Indies, and South America; naturalized in Humid Subtropical and Tropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous (strongly spreading by above-ground runners) forming a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to shade (highly shade tolerant); high water needs; prefers moist to wet acidic soils (pH 4.5-5.5); low drought tolerance
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0 to 2.0 inches height; frequency depends on moisture; low fertilization (1-2 lbs N/1000 sq ft); low maintenance level overall
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance compared to Bermuda; good salt tolerance; high wear tolerance in moist soils; often treated as a weed in high-end turf due to its coarse texture
Ecological Information
Introduced in the US; useful for soil stabilization in wet shaded areas; provides forage for livestock in tropical pastures; can be invasive in native wetlands