Centipede Grass
Scientific name:
Eremochloa ophiuroides
Characteristics:
A bright green, coarse-textured grass that forms a dense stolon mat and requires much less frequent mowing than the other grasses already discussed. It is a ´low maintenance´ grass that tolerates acid soils and low fertility, but not shade.
- Disadvantage: In Australia its greatest disadvantage in southern Queensland is its strong dormancy during winter (at which time it virtually ceases growing and turns brown).
- Origin: Centipede grass is native to China and Parts of Southeast Asia and was brought to the US in 1916. It is found in South America, the West Indies and parts of Africa. It is a slow growing creeping grass and has short stems growing upward. This makes it resemble a centipede insect and so that is what it is called.
- Creeping: This creeping perennial is well adapted to the sandy, acidic soils of low fertility and requires low maintenance. It spreads by stolons and has a coarse texture with short upright stems that grow to
about 3-5 inches and requiring less mowing, survives in mild cold temperatures as long as there aren’t several hard freezes since it doesn’t go into a true dormancy and with light freezes will turn brown but as soon as the temperature rises it will recover and re-greens. Being a low growing grass it is a favorite of busy lawn growers with a much longer period of days being added to the mowing cycle.
- Fertilisation: Low fertilisation (with low phosphorus) requirements can be met by a yearly application. Too much nitrogen can produce growth but cause problems with insects or disease.
- Drought Tolerance: Centipede is rather drought tolerant and when healthy is aggressive enough to choke out weeds and other grasses. In the south (America) this grass will remain green throughout the year. Although the roots are not as deep as Bahia or Bermuda, its close to the ground growth allows for better conservation of water and helps fight drought.
- Light: Slightly shade tolerant and full sun.
