NC State Extension Publications

Description

Skip to Description

Carpetgrass (Axonopus) is a slow-growing, medium-green (and sometimes greenish yellow), coarsely textured turfgrass that is adapted to low-maintenance, general-purpose turf. It prefers full sun to moderate shade and performs well in wet, shady, acidic soils where other grasses may not. Carpetgrass looks very similar to centipedegrass except that it produces a crabgrass-like seedhead, and centipedegrass has hairs along the edges of the leaves.

Lawn Maintenance

Skip to Lawn Maintenance

Species Data

Skip to Species Data
  • SEEDHEAD / FLOWER
  • VERNATION TYPE
  • LIGULE TYPE
    • short, fringe of hairs fused at the base, 0.04 inches (1 mm) wide
      Figure 7
  • GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
    • warm season turf or perennial weed
  • AURICLE TYPE
    • absent
  • LEAF BLADE TIP SHAPE
  • LEAF BLADE WIDTH
    • 0.16 - 0.31 inches (4 - 8 mm) wide
      Figure 10
  • STOLON PRESENCE
    • present
  • RHIZOME PRESENCE
    • absent
  • COLLAR TYPE
    • continuous; not hairy or with only a few hairs
  • SHEATH MARGIN
    • open; sheath has few long hairs on margin
Carpetgrass seedhead

Figure 1. Carpetgrass seedhead.

close-up view of Carpetgrass seedhead

Figure 2. Carpetgrass seedhead.

Carpetgrass seedhead against lawn background

Figure 3. Carpetgrass seedhead.

Carpetgrass seedhead close-up against lawn background

Figure 4. Carpetgrass seedhead.

Carpetgrass vernation next to ruler

Figure 5. Carpetgrass vernation.

Close-up view of Carpetgrass vernation.

Figure 6. Carpetgrass vernation.

close-up view of Carpetgrass ligule.

Figure 7. Carpetgrass ligule.

Carpetgrass leaf blade.

Figure 8. Carpetgrass leaf blade tip shape.

Carpetgrass leaf blade next to ruler

Figure 9. Carpetgrass leaf blade tip shape.

Carpetgrass leaf blade placed horizontally next to ruler.

Figure 10. Carpetgrass leaf blade width.

Author

Professor & Extension Specialist
Crop & Soil Sciences

Find more information at the following NC State Extension websites:

Publication date: Aug. 22, 2022

N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status.