Velvetene - Seashore Paspalum
Scientific name: Paspalum vaginatum
Other names: Species common names: Seashore paspalum, salt water couch.
Trademark (brand name): Velvetene
Registered PBR cultivar name: TFWA02
Characteristics: Seashore Paspalum is the premier grass for badly salt-affected sites where other turfgrasses struggle to survive or die. It will grow across a wide range of soil pH from very acid to alkaline. Like the couches, it is a medium-textured turf best suited to short mowing heights (around 15-30 mm). Seashore paspalum has good drought and wear tolerance, and is more shade tolerant than the couches. It survives at low fertility, but responds well to added fertiliser with nitrogen in the nitrate form.
Origin: Selected from a sward of Saltene (probably as a chance seedling) in Wanneroo (Western Australia). Breeder: K Craig Flugge, Turf Farms (WA).
Global growing areas: Australia, Middle East (Available in Australia from Turf Farms (WA) and licensed suppliers in other Australian states).
IP protection: Australian PBR certificate #2391 (granted 25 February 2004).
Details
- Texture: Fine.
- Description: Dark green leaves with a shiny lustre due to a waxy leaf coating. Fine leaves, blades 4.8-6.4 mm long (4th node from stolon tip), 2.2-2.6 mm in width. Internodes on stolons are 10.6-15.2 mm (fourth internode from tip). Thin internode diameter. (Data from PBR growing trial).
- Uses: Lawns, parks, sportsfields and golf courses (fairways, tees and greens) on salt-affected soils. Revegetation of salt-affected sites.
- Mowing height: Best at 8-15 mm during summer on fairways, sportsfields, lawns and parks. Can mow to 3-4 mm on greens.
- Method of propagation: Vegetative sod, sprigging.
- Preferred soil types: Grows in a wide range of soils from sands through to clays, and from pH 4.0 to 10.0.
Comments
Spreads vigorously by both rhizomes and stolons. Tolerates water logging and occasional flooding with salt water. Fewer seed heads than Saltene but more than Sea Isle 1 and Sea Isle 2000. Requires lower fertiliser inputs than Cynodon dactylon (green couch)
Tolerances
- Heat: Good.
- Cold: Comparable to green couch.
- Cloud cover: Copes with extended heavy rains and lowered light intensity.
- Shade: Limited tolerance of shade (comparable to green couch). Does not tolerate tree shade.
- Drought: Fair tolerance of dry conditions.
- Salinity: Highly salt tolerant. Survives at 40 dS m-1.
- Wear: Tolerant of wear.
- Herbicide sensitivity: Sensitive to many of the herbicides used for the management of green couch. Use only registered herbicides in accordance with the label.
- Pests and diseases: Lawn grubs (army worm, sod webworm) particularly during summer and autumn.
Photos used on this page are not necessarily photos from DEEDI
For more information and updates on warm season turfgrasses, their production and management please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/turf
For updates on Velvetene please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_4209.htm
