Bahiagrass
Paspalum notatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bahiagrass (or possibly 'Pensacola')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance but poor cold tolerance; turns tan/brown and goes dormant after the first frost.
About This Grass
A tough, low-growth grass with a light to medium green color. It has a fairly open growth habit and is most notably identified by its Y-shaped (dual-spiked) seed heads that emerge rapidly above the leaf canopy.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse texture (4-8mm wide), flat to folded shape, pointed tips, light green color. Vernation is rolled; ligule is a short membrane with hair; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system coupled with thick, woody rhizomes. Low thatch tendency; very slow establishment speed but excellent drought resilience.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to South America (Brazil, Argentina); widely adapted to the Southeastern United States and Gulf Coast.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and stoloniferous; forms a low-density, spreading sod via stout, woody rhizomes.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); very low watering needs once established. Highly drought tolerant and prefers acidic, sandy soils (pH 5.0 to 6.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height of 3-4 inches; requires frequent mowing during summer to remove tough seed head stalks. Low fertilization (1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); low maintenance overall.
Special Characteristics
Low maintenance, high traffic tolerance, excellent resistance to most pests and diseases, and superior performance in poor, sandy soils where other grasses fail.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock and seeds for birds. Excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on roadsides but can be invasive in managed turf of other species.