Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is a warm-season species that spreads by rhizomes, and is easily recognized by its characteristic "Y-shaped" seedhead. It exhibits low overall quality because of its light color, coarse texture, and open canopy. Due to its rapid lateral spread via aggressive rhizome production it is primarily used in areas where erosion control and immediate ground cover are the main concern. It is frequently planted on roadsides and highway rights of way because it has good drought tolerance. In addition, bahiagrass has the ability to tolerate a wide range of soils. Unfortunately, it can be a very competitive and unsightly weed in highly maintained turf.

Cultural Control

Bahiagrass is well suited for roadsides because of its good drought tolerance and general competitive ability in the southern United States. Unfortunately, it can be very competitive and unsightly in highly maintained turf. As with other perennial paspalums, bahiagrass can be difficult to control. Every effort should be made to prevent these weedy grasses from becoming established in turf, as selective control measures are usually difficult. Maintaining a dense, healthy turf year round by proper mowing and fertilization helps prevent encroachment and weed establishment.

• SEEDHEAD / FLOWER
  • raceme; V-shaped seedhead
    Figure 1, Figure 2
• VERNATION TYPE
  • leaves rolled in the bud, may appear to be folded
    Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7
• LIGULE TYPE
  • membranous; dense white hairs on back, 0.04 inches (1 mm) long
    Figure 8
• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • warm season turf or perennial weed
• AURICLE TYPE
  • absent
• LEAF BLADE TIP SHAPE
  • sharp-pointed; usually sparsely hairy along edge toward base, smooth on both surfaces
• LEAF BLADE WIDTH
  • leaf blade mostly greater than 0.2 inches wide, 0.16 - 0.31 inches (4 - 8 mm)
    Figure 9
• STOLON PRESENCE
  • absent; due to the open canopy and lack of thatch production, its stout, aggressive rhizomes can sometimes be interpreted as stolons because they appear to grow at or above the soil surface
    Figure 3, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12
• RHIZOME PRESENCE
  • present, stout
    Figure 3, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15
• COLLAR TYPE
  • continuous; collar and its edge with hairs
    Figure 16, Figure 17, Figure 18, Figure 19
• SHEATH MARGIN
  • open
    Figure 19
• SHEATH TYPE
  • flattened; sheath usually not hairy; sharply creased, rather glossy
    Figure 9, Figure 19

Figure 1. Bahiagrass seedhead.

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Figure 1. Bahiagrass seedhead.

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Figure 2. Bahiagrass seedhead.

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Figure 2. Bahiagrass seedhead.

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Figure 3. Bahiagrass crown.

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Figure 3. Bahiagrass crown.

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Figure 4. Bahiagrass vernation.

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Figure 4. Bahiagrass vernation.

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Figure 5. Bahiagrass vernation.

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Figure 5. Bahiagrass vernation.

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Figure 6. Hairy leaf base.

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Figure 6. Hairy leaf base.

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Figure 7. Bahiagrass vernation.

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Figure 7. Bahiagrass vernation.

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Figure 8. Ligule type.

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Figure 8. Ligule type.

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Figure 9. Bahiagrass blades.

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Figure 9. Bahiagrass blades.

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Figure 10. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 10. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 11. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 11. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 12. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 12. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 13. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 13. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 14. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 14. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 15. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 15. Bahiagrass rhizomes.

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Figure 16. Bahiagrass collar.

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Figure 16. Bahiagrass collar.

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Figure 17. Bahiagrass collar.

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Figure 17. Bahiagrass collar.

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Figure 18. Bahiagrass hairy leaf base.

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Figure 18. Bahiagrass hairy leaf base.

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Figure 19. Bahiagrass sheath.

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Figure 19. Bahiagrass sheath.

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