Bahiagrass
Paspalum notatum · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass, Lawn/Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11. Excellent heat and drought tolerance, but poor cold tolerance (turns brown and goes dormant at the first frost).
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae
Variety / Cultivar
Pensacola (most common, fine-textured, highly persistent)
About This Grass
Forms an open, somewhat coarse, light green to medium green turfgrass. Unmowed height can reach 24 to 30 inches due to tall, characteristic V-shaped or Y-shaped seed heads (usually 2, sometimes 3, racemes resembling crabgrass or crowfoot). Goes dormant and turns brown during winter frosts.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium to coarse in width (3-8 mm), flat to folded, with a pointed tip. Color is light green to yellowish-green. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The collar is continuous, broad, and smooth with sparse hairs near the margins. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Margins of the blades are often smooth to slightly rough.
Root System
Extremely deep, tough, and extensive fibrous root system, which allows it to thrive in nutrient-deficient, sandy soils and provides exceptional drought resistance once established. Moderate to fast establishment from seed, forms a dense sod over time.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to South America (Argentina, Brazil); naturalized in the southeastern United States and other tropical/subtropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and rhizomatous, spreading aggressively via short, thick rhizomes and robust, hairy stolons to form a tough, coarse turf
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal growth, tolerates very light shade. High drought tolerance due to deep roots, but grows best with regular rainfall or irrigation. Thrives in acidic, low-fertility sandy soils (pH 5.5 to 6.5) where other grasses struggle.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 2.0 to 3.0 inches. Requires frequent mowing during the active summer growing season due to rapid seed head production (the tough seed stems can dull mower blades quickly). Low fertility needs (1 to 2 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft annually). Low overall maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional resistance to pests and diseases, highly tolerant of poor soils, excellent for erosion control on slopes and roadsides. Moderate wear tolerance, though its open growth habit makes it less suitable for high-end formal lawns compared to Bermuda or Zoysia.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides valuable pasture forage for livestock, particularly in sandy coastal plain soils. Good erosion control and wildlife cover. Can act as a weed in higher-maintenance turfgrass settings.