St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), also known as buffalo turf in Australia and buffalo grass in South Africa, is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. The grass has bluish-green leaves with 1/3-inch wide, flat blades. It has a low, creeping habit and spreads via stolons. forming dense mats that outcompete weeds. St. Augustine grass performs better in the shade than other warm-season turfgrasses.
Characteristics
- Blade: Broad, flat blades, typically medium green in color. Some varieties can have a blue-green tint.
- Growth: It grows via above-ground runners (stolons) which help it spread quickly across the lawn. This grass does not produce viable seeds for lawn establishment, so it’s usually propagated through sod, sprigs, or plugs.
- Texture: Medium texture, which makes it comfortable for barefoot traffic.
St. Augustine grass occurs in most Caribbean and Mediterranean areas. It grows best in tropical climates. It is often seen in lagoons and marshes, on shorelines, and wherever there is a good amount of moisture.
In United States it’s widely used from the Carolinas along the eastern coast to Florida, and westward along the Gulf of Mexico to Texas. It’s also found in parts of Southern and Central California. Its northern boundary lies along a line from South Carolina to North Central Texas, though some cultivars are more cold-tolerant and can be grown further north.
In some regions outside its native range, St. Augustine grass has become invasive, spreading by its stolons and sometimes becoming a problem in natural habitats, like in parts of Australia and the Pacific Islands.
St. Augustine grass is commonly used in pastures and on ranches. It is a popular lawn grass, rivalling bermudagrass, though St. Augustine is somewhat less drought-tolerant. It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, requiring warm temperatures to grow actively. Its growth can be limited by cold winters, particularly in the northern parts of its range where it might go dormant or suffer damage from frost.
St. Augustine grass adapts well to a variety of soil types, from sandy to clay, but does best in well-drained, fertile soils. However, it does not tolerate waterlogged or drought-prone conditions well.
St. Augustine Grass
Floratam
- Origin: Developed in 1973 through cooperation between the University of Florida and Texas A&M University.
- Characteristics: Coarse texture, long and wide leaves, dark green color. It has good resistance to the St. Augustine Decline (SAD) virus and chinch bugs.
- Usage: Widely used for home lawns in sunny areas due to its vigor and weed resistance.
- Advantage: Resistant to certain diseases and pests, making it a low-maintenance option in ideal conditions.
Captiva
- Origin: Released in 2007 by the University of Florida.
- Characteristics: Dwarf variety with a finer texture and resistance to southern chinch bugs.
- Usage: Suitable for residential lawns where less mowing is desired.
- Advantage: Its reduced growth habit means less frequent mowing.
Palmetto
- Origin: Developed and released in the mid-1990s.
- Characteristics: Semi-dwarf with a plush appearance, good shade tolerance, and less thatch production.
- Usage: Used in both residential and commercial landscapes, especially where shade is a factor.
- Advantage: Shade-tolerant, which is rare among warm-season grasses, and it retains green color longer.
Raleigh
- Origin: Developed in Raleigh, North Carolina in the 1980s.
- Characteristics: Cold hardy, with a medium green color and coarse texture, disease-resistant.
- Usage: Popular in areas with colder temperatures within the grass’s range.
- Advantage: Can withstand lower temperatures, making it suitable for the northern edge of St. Augustine’s range.
Seville
- Origin: Developed in the 1980s, noted for its fine texture among St. Augustine grasses.
- Characteristics: Dwarf cultivar with blue-green color, good for shade, salt, and drought tolerance.
- Usage: Ideal for both sunny and shaded lawns, including coastal areas.
- Advantage: Low maintenance after establishment, with excellent color retention.
Bitterblue
- Origin: Engineered in the 1930s, known for its shade tolerance.
- Characteristics: Dark blue-green color with a finer texture than many St. Augustine varieties.
- Usage: Suitable for lawns with shady areas and where a darker green color is desired.
- Advantage: Better shade tolerance compared to many other warm-season grasses.
Mercedes
- Origin: Developed by the University of Florida in the 1980s.
- Characteristics: Shade-tolerant and has a high wear tolerance, facilitating recovery from traffic damage.
- Usage: Used in areas with moderate shade and traffic.
- Advantage: Can recover quickly from wear, which is beneficial for active lawns.
Sapphire
- Origin: Released in 2004, from Australia.
- Characteristics: Known for its dark blue-green leaves and rapid lateral growth for quick recovery.
- Usage: Good for high-traffic areas due to its ability to fill in bare spots quickly.
- Advantage: Fast recovery from damage, though it’s susceptible to fungal issues.
Classic
- Origin: Released by Woerner Turf in the early 2000s.
- Characteristics: Good cold tolerance, allowing growth in cooler regions.
- Usage: Suitable for lawns in areas with colder winters.
- Advantage: Its cold tolerance extends the geographical range where St. Augustine can be grown.
ProVista
- Origin: A newer variety of Floratam, designed for weed control.
- Characteristics: Glyphosate-tolerant, reducing the impact of weed killers on the grass.
- Usage: Used in both residential and commercial landscapes where weed control is a major concern.
- Advantage: Allows for the use of broad-spectrum herbicides without damaging the grass.
Sir Walter
- Origin: Developed in Australia, released in 1996.
- Characteristics: Known for its ability to handle a wide range of conditions including heat, drought, and shade. It has a soft leaf texture and a lush, green appearance.
- Usage: Widely used in Australia for lawns due to its adaptability to different climates and soil types. Suitable for both residential and commercial landscapes where water conservation is a priority.
- Advantages: Low maintenance once established, requiring less water than other varieties. Good tolerance to wear and tear, which makes it suitable for family lawns.
Texas Common
- Origin: Naturally occurring in Texas, it represents the traditional form of St. Augustine grass.
- Characteristics: Coarse texture with a medium to dark green color. It’s the most similar to the wild-type St. Augustine grass.
- Usage: Historically used for lawns and pastures in Texas, particularly where the SAD virus is not a concern. Its use has decreased due to disease susceptibility but it’s still found in older landscapes or areas not severely affected by SAD.
- Advantages: Adaptable to various soil conditions, especially sandy soils. Can tolerate some shade and has a moderate salt tolerance.
Variegatum
- Origin: A variegated form of St. Augustine grass, noted for ornamental purposes rather than as a lawn grass.
- Characteristics: Features distinctive white-striped leaves, making it visually appealing. It’s a creeping grass with evergreen foliage.
- Usage: Used primarily in ornamental settings or as an accent plant rather than for extensive turf areas. Suitable for borders, container gardens, or as a ground cover in landscape designs where visual interest is desired.
- Advantages: Adds aesthetic value to gardens with its unique variegated appearance. Can be used in areas where typical St. Augustine grass might be too plain.
Floratine
- Origin: Developed by the University of Florida, released in 1959.
- Characteristics: Has a finer texture and darker green color compared to many other St. Augustine varieties. Exhibits better cold tolerance than some other types, allowing for slightly broader geographical use.
- Usage: Often used in areas where color retention and texture are important. Suitable for both residential lawns and commercial landscapes where a neat, dark green turf is desired.
- Advantages: Its fine texture and low growth habit make it easier to maintain a neat lawn. Offers some resistance to cold, which can be beneficial in marginal climates.