Carpetgrass

Carpetgrass and tropical carpetgrass are coarse, low-growing turfgrasses adapted to wet, acidic sandy soils. They form a moderately dense, light-green turf that is similar to centipedegrass in color and texture. Individual carpetgrass plants resemble St. Augustinegrass. Tolerance to drought, wear, and cold is poor, and the rate of recovery from damage is slow. Carpetgrass develops many tall unattractive seedheads that require frequent mowing to keep the turf attractive, even though the foliage may not have grown sufficiently.

Even with all these drawbacks, carpetgrass is widely grown as a turfgrass. The major advantages are its ability to survive wet soil, its easy establishment from seed, and its low fertility requirements.