centipede grass

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Eremochloa ophiuroides

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Ischaemum ophiuroides

Habit

Its a creeping perennial that uses stolons (not rhizomes). The stolons also root at the nodes to help produce large patches.

Leaves

They are distinctly keeled and rounded at the tip. They are hairless except at the collar. The leaves can be 15 to 30 mm long and 2 to 5 mm wide.The leaves are light green in color, and it has a white midvein.

Identifying Characteristics

This grass is typically found as a desired turfgrass in the south, and is referred to as the "lazy man's grass." It can be distinguished by many features. First, it has folded vernation or folded in the bud. It is relatively hairless except around the collar region. The leaves are keeled/boat-shaped and light green in color. It has a short membranous ligule 0.5 mm tall, and it has no auricles. The collar region can have a purple tinge. The collar is also highly constricted, and is one of the most constricted or pinched of all grasses. This grass has stolons but no rhizomes.