Warm Season Turfgrasses
Warm season grasses are the turf species adapted to favorable growth during warm periods of the growing season. Optimum temperatures for growth are between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. These grasses are generally found in tropical and subtropical climates. The following map depicts the region’s most favorable for cool and warm season turf growth. 
Most warm season turf growth occurs between late spring to early fall during the months of May through September.
The most common warm season grasses include bermudagrass, buffalograss, zoysiagrass, bahiagrass, seashore paspalum, kikuyugrass, St. Augustinegrass and centipedegrass.
Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) 
Photo courtesy of University of California
Identifying Characteristics:
Ligule - fringe of hairs
Collar - narrow, continuous, hairy on margins
Vernation - folded
Leaf Tip - pointed
Leaf Blade - smooth or hairy, tapering toward tip on adaxial side; smooth or hairy on abaxial side
Texture - medium to coarse; hybrids have a finer texture
Growth Habit - stoloniferous, rhizomatous
Inflorescence - spike
Adaptation - grows best in full sun and high temperatures
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Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) 
Photo courtesy of University of California
Identifying Characteristics:
Ligule - fringe of hairs
Collar - broad, continuous with long hairs
Vernation - rolled
Leaf Tip - pointed
Leaf Blade - ridged with long hairs on adaxial side; smooth with long hairs on abaxial side
Texture - fine
Growth Habit - stoloniferous
Inflorescence - spike
Adaptation - grows best during warm temperatures; drought resistant; low maintenance
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Zoysiagrass (Zoysie japonica) 
Photo courtesy of University of California
Identifying Characteristics:
Ligule - fringe of hairs
Collar - broad, continuous, with long hairs
Vernation - rolled
Leaf Tip - pointed
Leaf Blade - smooth with long hairs on adaxial side; smooth, usually hairless on abaxial side
Texture - fine to medium
Growth Habit - stoloniferous, rhizomatous
Inflorescence - contracted raceme
Adaptation - grows best with warm temperatures in sunny conditions
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Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) 
Photo courtesy of A.J. Turgeon
Identifying Characteristics:
Ligule - short, membranous
Collar - broad
Vernation - rolled
Leaf Tip - pointed
Leaf Blade - smooth, midrib on adaxial side; smooth, keeled on abaxial side
Texture - coarse
Growth Habit - rhizomatous
Inflorescence - raceme
Adaptation - grows best in sunny, warm conditions
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Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) 
Photo courtesy of University of California
Identifying Characteristics:
Ligule - medium, membranous
Collar - broad, continuous
Vernation - rolled
Leaf Tip - pointed
Leaf Blade - smooth, midrib on adaxial side; smooth, keeled on abaxial side
Texture - medium to coarse
Growth Habit - stoloniferous, rhizomatous
Inflorescence - raceme
Adaptation - grows best in warm temperatures and soils high in salt
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Kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum)
Photo courtesy of University of California
Identifying Characteristics:
Ligule - fringe of hairs
Collar - broad, continuous
Vernation - folded
Leaf Tip - pointed
Leaf Blade - flat, midrib, sparsely hairy on adaxial side; flat, keeled, sparsely hairy on abaxial side
Texture - coarse
Growth Habit - rhizomatous, stoloniferous; very vigorous growth habit
Inflorescence - panicle
Adaptation - thrives with moderate temperatures; tolerates heat as well as shady conditions
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St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphium secundatum) 
Photo courtesy of University of California
Identifying Characteristics:
Ligule - fringe of hairs
Collar - broad, continuous
Vernation - folded
Leaf Tip - blunt
Leaf Blade - smooth on adaxial side; smooth on abaxial side
Texture - broad blade, medium
Growth Habit - stoloniferous
Inflorescence - spike, raceme
Adaptation - grows best in full sun, but has high tolerance for shade; well adapted to warm climates
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Centipedegrass (Eremuchloa ophiuroides) 
Photo courtesy of Virginia Tech
Identifying Characteristics:
Ligule - membranous with short hairs
Collar - broad, continuous
Vernation - folded
Leaf Tip - pointed
Leaf Blade - smooth, margins hairy at base on adaxial side; smooth on abaxial side
Texture - broad leaf blade, medium
Growth Habit - stoloniferous
Inflorescence - raceme
Adaptation - grows best in warm climates; low maintenance
Click here for more information.
University Publications:
Turfgrass Identification - Kansas State University
Turfgrass Selection - Kansas State University
Selection of Grasses for Athletic Fields - University of Kentucky
Turfgrass Species - University of California
Turfgrass Selection - Bermudagrass - University of Tennessee
Bermudagrass for Athletic Fields - University of Missouri
