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Description
Paspalum Notatum, commonly known as Bahia grass or Pensacola Bahia grass, is a warm-season perennial grass that belongs to the Poaceae family. It is native to South America but is widely grown in the southeastern United States. It is a popular grass for lawns, pastures, and erosion control due to its ability to handle drought and low fertility soils.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Paspalum |
Appearance
Bahia grass has a coarse texture and a light green color. Its leaves are long and narrow, growing up to 30 inches in length. The blades are flat and taper to a point at the tip. The plant can grow up to 2-3 feet tall and has a clumping growth habit. It produces seed heads that are spike-like and can reach up to 6 inches in length.
Care Guide
Water
Bahia grass is drought-tolerant and can survive with little water. However, it will perform best with regular watering during the growing season.
Fertilization
Bahia grass is a low-maintenance grass that requires little fertilization. A yearly application of a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer in the spring is sufficient.
Soil
Bahia grass grows well in sandy and low fertility soils. It prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 5.5-7.5.
Sunlight
Bahia grass grows best in full sun but can tolerate some shade.
Hardiness Zones
Bahia grass is hardy in USDA zones 7-10.
Common Pests & Diseases
Bahia grass is relatively pest and disease-resistant. However, it can be susceptible to armyworms, mole crickets, and nematodes. It can also be affected by rust and leaf spot.
Habitat
Bahia grass is native to South America but has been widely introduced to the southeastern United States. It is commonly found in pastures, lawns, roadsides, and disturbed areas. It is an important forage grass for livestock and is used for erosion control.
Questions and Answers
Q: Is Bahia grass a good choice for a lawn?
A: Yes, Bahia grass is a good choice for a low-maintenance lawn.
Q: How often should I water my Bahia grass?
A: Bahia grass is drought-tolerant but will perform best with regular watering during the growing season.
Q: What are some common pests and diseases of Bahia grass?
A: Bahia grass can be affected by armyworms, mole crickets, nematodes, rust, and leaf spot.
Q: What is the hardiness zone for Bahia grass?
A: Bahia grass is hardy in USDA zones 7-10.
Related Plants
- Paspalum Vaginatum
- Paspalum Dilatatum
- Paspalum Distichum
- Paspalum Conjugatum
References
- University of Florida IFAS Extension. (n.d.). Bahiagrass for Florida Lawns. Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/LH/LH00600.pdf
- USDA NRCS. (n.d.). Plants Profile for Paspalum notatum. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PANO
- University of Georgia Extension. (n.d.). Bahiagrass. Retrieved from https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1188
