Turffiles:Turfgrasses:Centipedegrass

Info Sheet

Maint. Calendars

Articles

Presentations

Guides

Reports

Alerts

News

Printable PDF
(62.0 kB)

Centipedegrass

[Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.]

Centipedegrass is a slow-growing, coarse-textured, warm-season turf that is adapted for use in low maintenance situations. It is often referred to as "lazy man's grass" due to its infrequent mowing and fertilization requirements. It also has a light-green color and spreads by stolons. It does not tolerate traffic, compaction, high pH, excessive thatch, drought, or heavy shade. Centipedegrass can often be confused with St. Augustinegrass. However, centipedegrass has alternating leaves at the nodes whereas St. Augustinegrass has opposite leaves at the nodes. Centipedegrass also has a more pointed, slenderer leaf blade than St. Augustinegrass. Both leaf blades are V-shaped in cross section, but that of St. Augustinegrass has a more obviously boat-shaped tip.

Characteristic	Description
Seedhead / Flower	seedhead a slender spike
Vernation Type	leaves folded in the bud
Ligule Type	short, membranous with fine hairs, hairs longer than purplish membrane, 0.02 inches (0.5 mm) long
Growth Season / Life Cycle	warm season turf
Auricle Type	absent
Leaf Blade Tip Shape	boat shaped or sharp-pointed; flattened, short, sharply creased, hairs along edge at base
Leaf Blade Width	medium, 0.1 - 0.2 in
Stolon Presence	present
Rhizome Presence	absent
Collar Type	continuous; constricted by fused crease, hairs tufted at lower edge
Sheath Margin	split with overlapping margins; sheath has grayish tufts of hairs at throat
Sheath Type	very flattened


centipede leaf arrangement	centipede ligule, auricle

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.

Diseases Which May Affect This Turfgrass

dollar spot
fairy ring
large patch
Pythium root rot
slime mold

© 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.

KEYWORDS FOUND IN THIS ARTICLE:

centipedegrass

cultivar

variety

warm season

CENTIPEDEGRASS