Collar of kikuyugrass
Overall plant structure of kikuyugrass |
Qualities
Kikuyugrass is a warm-season
grass that spreads quickly and thrives in areas with moderate temperatures.
It can tolerate heat and will do well under relatively shady conditions.
Because of its extremely vigorous growth habit, it is considered to
be a weed in coastal and some inland areas of California. It is seldom
established as a desired turfgrass. It has a low disease incidence
and is susceptible to cold but is able to recover quickly from moderate
wear or severe injury. Although once considered to be primarily a
weed, kikuyugrass is now sometimes managed as a turf species. Identifying
tips
A coarse-textured, light green grass, sometimes
mistaken for St. Augustinegrass. The leaves are folded in the bud,
the ligule is a fringe of hairs, and there are no auricles. It has
slightly flattened, hairy leaf sheaths and tapering leaf blades with
files of hairs. Kikuyugrass spreads by its thick rhizomes and vigorous
stolons.
Maintenance
Low maintenance. It can tolerate low
fertility and high heat. It can recover from drought conditions. Kikuyugrass
has a low tolerance for cold temperatures. It has a tendency to "scalp"
when mowed short. |
