Turffiles:Turfgrasses:St. Augustinegrass

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St. Augustinegrass

[Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze]

St. Augustinegrass is a warm-season grass with medium density and medium to dark green color. Of all the warm season grasses, it is the least cold tolerant and has the coarsest leaf texture. St. Augustinegrass grows best in warm, humid areas that are not exposed to long periods of cold weather. In fact, its lack of cold tolerance is the major limiting factor in determining its use in North Carolina. 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 thick spike with spikelets imbedded along the sides
Vernation Type	leaves folded in the bud
Ligule Type	short fringe of hairs, 0.01 inches (0.3 mm) long
Growth Season / Life Cycle	warm season turf
Auricle Type	absent
Leaf Blade Tip Shape	boat shaped; blunt; not hairy
Leaf Blade Width	0.16 - 0.4 inches (4 - 10 mm) wide
Stolon Presence	present; stout
Rhizome Presence	absent
Collar Type	continuous; not hairy, constricted
Sheath Margin	open; sheath is slightly hairy along edges and toward top
Sheath Type	flattened; sharply creased, loose


St. Augustinegrass ligule, auricle, collar	St. Augustinegrass leaf arrangement

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
gray leaf spot
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	St. Augustinegrass	variety	warm season
cultivar

ST. AUGUSTINEGRASS