St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine Grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), also known as Buffalo Grass, is a warm-season grass species commonly used for lawns and landscaping due to its dense, green appearance and ability to tolerate shade and foot traffic. While it is valued for these characteristics, St. Augustine Grass can become problematic when it invades natural habitats and displaces native vegetation. Its aggressive growth and resistance to many control methods make it a challenging weed to manage, posing a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
Scientific Classification:
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Cyperales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Stenotaphrum |
| Species | Stenotaphrum secundatum |
Common Names:
St. Augustine Grass is also known as Buffalo Grass.
Areas where it is Typically Found:
St. Augustine Grass is commonly found in lawns, golf courses, parks, and other landscaped areas. In some regions, it has escaped cultivation and become invasive, spreading into natural habitats such as coastal dunes and disturbed woodlands.
Ecological Impact:
When St. Augustine Grass escapes from cultivated areas and invades natural habitats, it outcompetes native plant species and disrupts ecosystem balance. Its dense growth forms a thick mat that prevents the establishment of native plants, reduces plant diversity, and alters habitat structure, affecting local wildlife.
Identification:
- Leaves: St. Augustine Grass leaves are broad, flat, and medium to dark green in color. They have a boat-shaped tip and a distinct midrib.
- Stems: The stems of St. Augustine Grass are creeping and form dense, low mats.
- Flowers: St. Augustine Grass produces inflorescences with spike-like, finger-shaped branches.
- Fruits: The fruits are small, dry, and contain one seed each.
- Roots/Rhizomes: St. Augustine Grass spreads through both stolons (above-ground horizontal stems) and rhizomes (below-ground horizontal stems).
- Growth Habit: St. Augustine Grass is a warm-season perennial grass with a prostrate growth habit.
Changes through the Four Seasons:
- Spring: In spring, St. Augustine Grass resumes growth and turns green as temperatures warm up.
- Summer: During summer, it thrives and spreads rapidly, reaching its peak growth.
- Autumn: In autumn, St. Augustine Grass starts to slow down its growth as temperatures cool.
- Winter: In winter, it becomes semi-dormant and may turn brown in colder regions.
Treatment & Removal:
Organic Methods: Hand-pulling can be effective for small infestations, but complete removal of the rhizomes is essential to prevent regrowth.
Mechanical Methods: Regular mowing can help control St. Augustine Grass in lawns and landscaped areas, but it may not eradicate it entirely.
Biological Methods: There are no widely used biological control methods for St. Augustine Grass.
Chemical Methods: Herbicides labeled for St. Augustine Grass control can be effective, but follow label instructions carefully to avoid harming desirable plants.
On-Going Management & Control:
For effective management, a combination of control methods is often necessary. Regular monitoring and prompt action to remove any new growth are crucial. In landscaped areas, replacing St. Augustine Grass with native or non-invasive plants can help prevent its spread to natural habitats.
Conclusion:
St. Augustine Grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), commonly known as Buffalo Grass, is a popular lawn grass that can become invasive when it escapes from cultivated areas and spreads into natural habitats. Its rapid growth and resilient nature make it a challenging weed to manage. By adopting appropriate control measures and replacing St. Augustine Grass with non-invasive alternatives, we can protect native ecosystems and maintain the ecological balance in our landscapes and natural areas.