Forest & Kim Starr
Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
Paspalum vaginatum
Plant Common Name
Biscuit Grass, Seashore Paspalum
General Description
Seashore Paspalum is a perennial grass native to warm subtropical and tropical coastal regions worldwide. It is used for turf and pastures. It has lance-shaped, fine textured leaves which grow in short, upright plantlets. Seashore Paspalum spreads via stolons (underground, lateral stems) and rhizomes (above ground lateral stems) and forms dense mats of thick turf. The white flowers are held on upright pairs of forked spikelets and are followed by a few fertile, yellow seeds. Seashore Paspalum is usually established by sod, plugs or sprigs, most cultivars do not produce large quantities of seed.
Seashore Paspalum is known for its extreme salt tolerance. It is often found in the wild growing in salt or brackish water. It has fair to poor shade tolerance, excellent wear tolerance and is drought tolerant. Once established, it will survive without additional irrigation but will turn brown; to maintain green, growing grass, regular watering is required. Plant Seashore Paspalum in warm temperate zones in the spring and summer, higher temperatures are required for good root growth. This turf does well on minimal applications of fertilizer. Mow at a height of one to two inches; a reel mower is preferred for fine textured grasses, but a rotary mower with very sharp blades is adequate. Seashore Paspalum tends to form thatch – a layer of debris, dead stems and leaves between actively growing grass and the soil, which should be removed every year or two. Chinch bugs are not a problem for this grass, but it may suffer from infestations of mole crickets, various caterpillars, grubs and weeds. Seashore Paspalum is a fine-textured grass good for golf courses, sports fields and home lawns particular where brackish or reclaimed water is used for irrigation
Characteristics
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 10
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Sunset Zone
H2, 17, 24
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Plant Type
Grass
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
1"-4" / 2.5cm - 10.2cm
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Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
World/Pandemic
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Mat-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
White, Green
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Fruit Color
Yellow, Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Lawns and Turf
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
No
