Carpetgrass
[Axonopus affinis Chase]
Carpetgrass
is a slow-growing, medium-green (and sometimes greenish yellow), coarsely
textured turfgrass that is adapted to low-maintenance, general-purpose turf.
It prefers full sun to moderate shade and performs well in wet, shady, acidic
soils where other grasses may not. Carpetgrass looks very similar to
centipedegrass except that it produces a crabgrass-like seedhead, and
centipedegrass has hairs along the edges of the leaves.
|
Characteristic
|
Description
|
|
Seedhead
/ Flower
|
raceme;
2-5 spikes in each head; spikes broad at base, and tapering to a point
|
|
Vernation
Type
|
leaves
folded in the bud
|
|
Ligule
Type
|
short,
fringe of hairs fused at the base, 0.04 inches (1 mm) wide
|
|
Growth
Season / Life Cycle
|
warm
season turf or perennial weed
|
|
Auricle
Type
|
absent
|
|
Leaf
Blade Tip Shape
|
boat
shaped
|
|
Leaf
Blade Width
|
0.16 -
0.31 inches (4 - 8 mm) wide
|
|
Stolon
Presence
|
present
|
|
Rhizome
Presence
|
absent
|
|
Collar
Type
|
continuous;
not hairy or with only a few hairs
|
|
Sheath
Margin
|
open;
sheath has few long hairs on margin
|
|
Sheath
Type
|
flattened
|
|
|
|
|
carpetgrass
ligule
|
carpetgrass leaf
blade tip
|
Note: Still not
sure this is the right turfgrass? The Turf & Weed Identification
Decision Aid may help. Check the TurfFiles glossary for definitions
of unfamiliar terms.
Need help in selecting the best
turfgrass for your particular situation? The Turf/Cultivar Selection
Decision Aid will help you sort through the options which are available.
For more information on turfgrass/cultivar selection, establishing a new lawn,
caring for a new lawn, or renovating a lawn, see AG-69,
Carolina Lawns. For management information, check
the maintenance
calendar.
© North Carolina State University. This information sheet was prepared
by Arthur H. Bruneau, Bridget R. Lassiter, Gail G. Wilkerson, Emily J.
Erickson, Casey Reynolds, Jenifer J. Reynolds, and Gregory S. Buol. Department
of Crop Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, North Carolina
State University. Prepared April 29, 2008. Available
on-line at www.turffiles.ncsu.edu. This publication was made possible through a
grant provided by the Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research &
Education (CENTERE) whose purpose is to support worthwhile projects that will
benefit both the private sector and the public, and protect the environment.