Carpetgrass
Axonopus fissifolius · Warm-season perennial; C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paspaleae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Carpetgrass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-10; poor cold tolerance; enters early winter dormancy and turns brown after the first frost; limited to frost-free or mild winter climates.
About This Grass
A low-growing, creeping perennial with a coarse texture and a light-green to pale-yellow-green color. It produces tall, slender, crabgrass-like seed heads with two or three spikes. It is often found in moist, sandy, or acidic soils where other grasses struggle.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (4-8mm); blades are flat with a rounded or blunt tip resembling a boat-shape but wider; vernation is folded; blades are shiny on the underside with a wavy margin and sparse hairs at the base; ligule is a short fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Shallow, fibrous root system extending from stolon nodes; low thatch tendency; moderate establishment speed; poor drought tolerance compared to Bermuda grass due to shallow roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Americas (Southern USA to South America); best adapted to the humid Southeastern US Coastal Plain
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous; creeps significantly above ground via flattened, leafy runners to form a dense, coarse mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist to wet conditions and requires frequent watering in well-drained soils; thrives in acidic soils (pH 4.5-5.5) with low fertility.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0 - 2.0 inches for lawns; requires frequent mowing to remove unsightly tall seed stalks; low fertilization needs (1-2 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year); low maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent shade tolerance for a warm-season grass; high salt tolerance; low wear tolerance; very high moisture/boggy soil tolerance; develops purple tints in cold weather.
Ecological Information
Native status in the Americas; provides modest forage for livestock; stabilizes soil in wet ditches and lowland areas; often considered a weed in well-manicured Bermuda or Centipede lawns due to its light color and coarse texture.