Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 2.5. Centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides). Leaves folded in the bud; ligule
a short membrane with short hairs across the top; collar broad, much constricted;
auricles absent; sheaths compressed, flattened, hairs at the edges near the ligule, a
prominent mid-vein; blades compressed or flattened, short, less than 4-6 mm wide,
strong mid-vein, sparsely hairy along the edges; seed-head one slender spike at the
top of the main stem; spikelets broad at the base tapering to a rounded tip, a single
seed. (Drawing by R. Castro.)
require some fertilizer. If clippings are left on the ground, it usually does
not need any fertilization at all. The most popular centipede grass is a
common type that can be established from seeds. As with any other
tropical turf-grass, centipede grass can also be established vegetatively
from sprigs, plugs or sod.
The genus Paspalum (Panicoideae)
Paspalum vaginatum
Sw., known also as seashore paspalum or saltwater
couch, is native to tropical and subtropical regions of North and South
America, South Africa and Australia (Fig. 2.6). It produces few seeds,
mostly not viable, and spreads by rhizomes and stolons. The stolons and
leaves of seashore paspalum are slightly coarser than those of cynodon,
but in fact these two species resemble one another. An important char-
acteristic distinguishing paspalum from cynodon is the split shape of its
