Grasses & Sedges
Eremochloa ophiuroides
centipede grass
Overview
Eremochloa ophiuroides is a warm-season, stoloniferous perennial grass in the Poaceae spp. family, growing 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) tall in mowed turf, forming a dense, medium-textured sod by above-ground stolons. Leaf blades are flat, 0.1–0.2 inch (3–5 mm) wide, light to medium green, with a blunt, rounded tip — unlike the pointed tips of bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. Leaf sheaths are compressed and flattened, overlapping in a distinctive shingled pattern along the stolon — giving the stolons a segmented, centipede-like appearance that accounts for the common name. Stolons are thick, flattened, green to straw-coloured, rooting at short nodes spaced 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) apart. The inflorescence is a single, spike-like raceme 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) long, rising 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) above the canopy. The species requires minimal fertilisation — excess nitrogen (above 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet / 100 g/m² per year) causes thatch buildup, iron chlorosis, and increased susceptibility to disease. It thrives in acidic soils (pH 4.5–6.0) and declines rapidly in alkaline conditions above pH 7.0, developing severe iron chlorosis. Introduced to the United States from southeastern China in 1916. Adapted to the southeastern US from eastern Texas to the Carolinas. Does not tolerate sustained temperatures below 15°F (-9°C) — not suitable for the Pacific Northwest. Susceptible to ground pearls (Margarodes spp. spp.), a scale insect with no effective chemical control, and to nematodes in sandy soils.
Native Range
Eremochloa ophiuroides is native to southeastern China and parts of Southeast Asia, where it occurs in open grasslands and disturbed habitats at low to moderate elevations. Introduced to the United States in 1916 by plant explorer Frank N. Meyer.Suggested Uses
Planted as a low-maintenance lawn in the southeastern United States (zones 7b–10) on acidic, sandy to loamy soils. The low fertiliser and mowing requirements reduce management inputs and costs — the basis for the common name "lazy man's grass." Used for residential lawns, parks, roadsides, and cemeteries. Not suitable for heavy traffic areas (lower wear tolerance than bermudagrass). Not suitable for the Pacific Northwest or northern states.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3" - 6"
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
A single spike-like raceme 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) long emerges from June through September, rising above the mowed canopy on a slender stalk. Seed production is limited — the species spreads primarily by stolons. In maintained turf, mowing suppresses seed head formation.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Green to strawFoliage Description
Light to medium greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight