Description

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is the most widely used cool-season grass on golf course putting greens. It is a fine-textured species that can tolerate close mowing heights and spreads by stolons. This allows it to recover from traffic and golf ball marks. However, it has very high maintenance requirements including fertilization, topdressing, mowing, and frequent fungicide applications, particularly during the summer months.

Species Data

• SEEDHEAD / FLOWER
  • seedhead is a compressed panicle; each spikelet is elliptical, with a single seed
• VERNATION TYPE
  • leaves rolled in the bud
    Figure 1
• LIGULE TYPE
  • membranous; rounded or blunt, finely irregular-toothed or entire, minutely hairy on back, 0.04 - 0.08 inches (1 - 2 mm) long
    ​Figure 2, Figure 3
• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • cool season turf
• AURICLE TYPE
  • absent
• LEAF BLADE TIP SHAPE
  • sharp-pointed; flat, distinctly ridged upper surface, slightly creased on lower surface, surfaces and edges rough
    Figure 4
• LEAF BLADE WIDTH
  • 0.08 - 0.2 inches (2 - 5 mm) wide
    Figure 5
• STOLON PRESENCE
  • present; slender
• RHIZOME PRESENCE
  • absent
• COLLAR TYPE
  • divided; indistinct, usually slanted with unequal sides
    ​Figure 6, Figure 7
• SHEATH MARGIN
  • open
    Figure 8