VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Eremochloa ophiuroides | Centipede Grass 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
NO-ENTRY


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Centipede grass is a low-maintenance grass used for limited wear areas
such as industrial sites, roadsides, and other utility areas in the
southeastern United States [20,24].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Centipede grass is hardy in response to high temperatures such as those
experienced in the southeastern United States during summer months [14].
It is commonly used in sunny, dry locations [27].  It recuperates only
moderately well after damage [14].  Centipede grass requires less
fertilizer and grows more slowly than most other turf grasses [18,23];
it requires about 2 years to provide a solid turf cover [34].

Culture:  Centipede grass grows best when planted in May or June [23],
though it can be planted from April through July [34].  April plantings
are more susceptible to infestation.  July plantings require more water
and are susceptible to winter injury [23].  Centipede grass requires a
minimum of 6 inches (15 cm) of soil to support growth [34].

Centipede grass can be established by seeding and with sprigs or plugs.
Water application is usually needed for establishment.  Centipede grass
generally grows well without any fertilizer, although fertilization
after new growth appears may increase cover [23,34]. Overfertilization
can cause injury or increase susceptibility to frost damage [21,26].

After first establishment centipede grass stems can be divided
frequently and replanted over a wider area [5].

Winter hardiness:  If properly maintained centipede grass will grow well
as far north as Atlanta, Georgia.  Centipede grass grown further north
is prone to winter injury [23].

Drought tolerance:  Centipede grass has been considered drought tolerant
[17] to drought intolerant [3,26].  It was among the lowest water users
of nine warm-season grasses compared in south-central Georgia.  In
another study of 11 turf grasses under drought conditions, centipede
grass was intermediate in its use of water [17].  Centipede grass is
less drought tolerant than bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.), zoysia (Zoysia
spp.), or St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) [3].  It is
suitable for infrequently watered areas in the Southern Coastal Plain
where rainless periods of up to 40 days are followed by moderate
rainfall [17].

Competition:  Presence of weeds such as bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
and nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) may decrease centipede grass during the
first 2 years after establishement; oats (Avena sativa) planted as
companion grass does not [7,23].  Use of mulch and herbicides to control
competition is described [18,22,23,24].

Related categories for Species: Eremochloa ophiuroides | Centipede Grass