SafePlants

Carpetgrass: A Versatile Turf Grass

Carpetgrass, known for its ability to thrive in challenging conditions, is a popular choice for lawns and pastures, especially in the southern United States.

Considerations for Pets

• Carpetgrass forms a dense mat that can potentially harbor insects or other small creatures.
• As a creeping grass, it spreads via stolons (above-ground stems) which might be attractive to some animals.

Scientific and Common Names

• Scientific Name: Axonopus affinis, Axonopus fissifolius, Axonopus compressus
• Common Names: Carpetgrass, Common Carpetgrass, Tall Carpetgrass, Caratao Grass, Louisiana Grass, Narrow-leaved Carpetgrass, Narrowleaf Carpetgrass, Broadleaf Carpetgrass, Mat Grass, Philippine grass

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Genus: Axonopus
• Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
• Synonyms: A. fissifolius (synonym for A. affinis)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native primarily to tropical and subtropical regions.
• Found in the southeastern United States, from East Texas to Florida and north to Virginia, Alabama, and Arkansas.
• Grows in fields, woods, along roadsides, and pastures.
• Prefers sandy and wet soils.

Ecological Role

• Excellent for controlling erosion.
• Suppresses weeds once established.
• Can be considered an invasive species in some regions (e.g., Pennsylvania - Arthraxon hispidus).
• Its competitive nature can impact the growth of other pasture species.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Perennial, coarse-leaved, creeping grass.
• Forms a dense sod due to its creeping stolons.
• Low profile growth habit.
• Medium-green color (sometimes greenish-yellow).
• Wide leaves with blunt, rounded tips.

Quirky Facts

• Carpetgrass is sometimes referred to as "Louisiana grass."
• It is considered one of the lesser-known warm-season grasses.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Susceptible to drought.
• May be infested with a dark fungus.
• A new subspecies of Dimorphopterus cornutus Slater (Hemiptera: Lygpidae) has been found on carpet grass in Papua New Guinea.

Additional Information

• Clemson University: Prepared by Bob Polomski, Extension Consumer Horticulturist, and Debbie Shaughnessy, HGIC Horticulture Specialist.
• USDA Plant Profile: Provides distribution maps and other information.
• Shutterstock: Offers carpet grass stock photos, vectors, and illustrations.