Bahiagrass
Paspalum notatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass, Lawn/Turf, and Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11; excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance, goes dormant and turns brown with frost.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paspaleae
Variety / Cultivar
'Pensacola' (most common wide-adaptation pasture and utility turf cultivar)
About This Grass
Bahiagrass forms a coarse-textured, light-to-medium green turf with sparse upright seed heads that feature distinctive Y-shaped racemes (V-shaped twin spikes). It grows 6 to 12 inches tall when maintained, but seed stalks can rapidly shoot up to 24 inches or more.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are flat to folded, coarse in texture (width 3-6mm), with smooth margins, a pointed tip, and folded vernation in the bud. The ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Extremely deep, tough, and extensive fibrous root system with thick rhizomes. Excellent for stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, establishing moderately fast from seed.
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, low-growing turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (intolerant of dense shade). Moderate to high drought tolerance due to deep roots; goes into dormancy during severe dry spells but recovers quickly with rain. Prefers sandy, acidic soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.0 to 3.0 inches high. Low maintenance requirement; needs occasional fertilization (1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually) and frequent mowing during summer due to fast-growing seed stalks.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional resistance to pests and diseases, excellent tolerance of poor, sandy, low-fertility soils, moderate wear tolerance, and good erosion control.
Ecological Information
Introduced species used heavily for pasture, roadside stabilization, and low-input lawns in the southern US. Provides good forage for livestock and ground cover for wildlife, though can be considered weedy in fine turf settings.