Seashore Paspalum

Scientific Name: Paspalum vaginatum Sw.

Seashore Paspalum

General Information
Usda Symbol	PAVA
Group	Monocot
Life Cycle	Perennial
Growth Habits	Graminoid
Native Locations	PAVA

Plant Guide

Alternate Names

None

Uses

Seashore paspalum is used as a forage food for cattle and horses. It is grazed from March to November and the green stolons are eaten during the winter months. It is also used by wild geese for feed. Paspalum vaginatum is used in commercial and residential landscaping. This plant has been very successful for golf courses all around the world, especially in the coastal states and in other areas near brackish or high saline waters. It is considerably more salt tolerant than other standard golf course turf so it can be irrigated with salt water, which saves an enormous amount of money used in the desalinization of the water used for irrigation. Because seashore paspalum grows low to the ground, it has a high tolerance for traffic and wear. It grows rapidly which provides a thick turf and competes against weeds when maintained properly. Paspalum vaginatum has other important uses such as erosion control, wetland restorations, and site reclamation on oil and gas well sites. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants © University of Florida

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

Description

General: Grass Family (Poaceae). Seashore paspalum is a native, warm season, creeping perennial. Culms are erect, smooth at the nodes and range in heights of 1-7.9 dm. Sheaths are glabrous, overlapping and scantily pubescent apically. Blades range in lengths of 2.5–15 cm and in widths of 3 –8 mm, which may be flat or folded inward length wise. Blades are mostly glabrous having a sparse amount of long hairs located on the top surface close to the base. Ligules are 1-2 mm in length. Racemes are usually in numbers of 2-3 and range in lengths of 1.1-7.9 cm. They are erect and spreading at maturity. Axes are winged, smooth, 1-2 mm wide and have scabrous margins. Spikelets are solitary, glabrous, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, faint-stramineous in color, 3-4.5 mm long and 1.1-2 mm wide. First glume seldom developed, usually absent. The second glume and sterile lemma are 3-nerved with the nerves suppressed. The fertile floret is comose and white in color. The caryopsis is yellow and is approximately 3 mm long.

Distribution

For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Adaptation

Seashore paspalum inhabits brackish sand areas and saline areas along the coasts that stretch from North Carolina down to Florida and over to Texas. It is found as far south as Argentina and in the warm regions of the Eastern Hemisphere. It is suited for compacted inorganic marsh soils of average salinity and flourishes when water levels are fluctuated between 2 inches above the surface to 6 inches below the soil surface. However, it can withstand more than 2 inches of water above the soil surface during the winter season.

Establishment

It is propagated asexually using stolons and rhizomes, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Seashore Paspalum., Since seeds are seldom available, seashore paspalum is available in sprigs, plugs and sod, For optimum results, plant 3 bushels of sprigs per 1000 square feet during late spring or summer, It prefers a pH above 6,0 and should be mowed after the first 60-90 days after planting,

Management

In managing Seashore paspalum for forage, it is recommended that less than 50% of the present year’s production by weight be grazed. In addition, a 90-day suspension of grazing is implemented to improve the strength of the crop and to obtain a forage reserve. Overgrazing is usually not a problem because this forage grows flat on the ground. In managing Seashore paspalum for landscape or golf courses, a low level of Nitrogen, about 3 to 4 pounds per 1000 square feet per year, is recommended. Fertilizer should be applied during the fall to prevent scalping. Studies have proven that it produces higher shoot densities when mowed at lower heights. This in turn provides a better playing surface and an attractive appearance. Seashore paspalum is considered invasive to the Hapuna Golf Course in Hawaii where they are using Bermuda grasses. Seashore paspalum is out-competing their established Bermuda turf. They will be conducting a three-year study on how to get seashore paspalum off their course. Seashore paspalum is vulnerable to insects, such as armyworms and webworms eating and damaging the foliage. Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Although seeds are produced several times during the year, they are rarely viable. SALAM and ADALYD (also known as EXCALIBRE) are varieties of seashore paspalum, which are used on golf courses located around the world. SALAM is glossy on the bottom side of the leaf, which allows the courses to be mowed and have a striped appearance. Contact your local Natural Resources

Conservation

Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone book under ”United States Government.” The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading “Department of Agriculture.”

References

Allen, C.M. 1992. Grasses of Louisiana. 2nd ed. Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society, Monroe, Louisiana. 230 p. Duble, R.L. 1999. Seashore paspalum. Texas Agr. Extension Service. The Texas A&M University System, College Station, Texas. <http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/turf/publications/seashore.html> Environmental Turf Solutions, Inc. 1999. Products and Services—Seashore Paspalum. <http://www.etsturf.com/products.html> Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association 1999. Hawaii golf course superintendents association news. <http://www.hawaii-golf.com/hgcsa.html> Hitchcock, A.S. 1950. Manual of the Grasses of the United States. 2nd ed. (revised by Agnes Chases.) U.S. Dept. of Agr. Misc. Publ. 200. 603 p. Leithead, H. L., L. L. Yarlett, & T. N. Shiflet 1971. 100 native forage grasses in 11 southern states. U.S. Dept. Agr. Handbook No. 389. 143 p. Seeds West 1999. Warm season turfgrass infosheet. <http://www.seedswest.com/infoshet.htm> University of Florida 1999. Aquatic, wetland and invasive plant particulars and photographs. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, Gainesville, Florida. 29nov2000. <http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/pasvag.html> Woerner Sports Turf International 1999. SALAM – seashore paspalum. Brookfield, Georgia. <http://woernersports.com/salam.htm>

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

Siltgrass, Sheathed Paspalum, Salt Jointgrass, Seaside Millet, Sand Knotgrass, and Saltwater Couch , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Seashore Paspalum.

Uses

Forage: Seashore paspalum is used as forage in some areas. It resists over grazing due to its low growth habit, but as with most forage grasses, proper management is essential to maintain vigorous, healthy stands. It is recommended that no more than 50% of the annual biomass be removed via grazing or cutting. It is typically grazed in the summer and early fall, and has moderate palatability. Wildlife: Due to its low growth form, turf formation, and low palatability among browse animals, seashore paspalum is not a highly significant wildlife plant. Geese and other herbivores will graze tender shoots, and it provides some cover for small vertebrates and invertebrates. Landscaping: Seashore paspalum forms dense sod if mowed to a one inch height and makes an attractive turf grass. It will withstand traffic well, and has been successfully used on golf courses. Some varieties have a two toned appearance to their leaf surfaces which create an attractive striped effect when mowed. Because of its salt tolerance, this species can be used successfully in areas with saline soils or groundwater. Conservation: Seashore paspalum makes an excellent shoreline protector. It spreads rapidly, forming dense stands that anchor soil particles and dissipate wave energy. It is easy to establish, and can withstand moderately high salinity and brief inundation. It can also uptake heavy metals, and is a candidate as a buffer or filter strip plant for Phytoremediation of such substances.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values)

Description and Adaptation

Adaptation

Adaptation

Description

Seashore paspalum is a native, low growing, warm season, perennial grass that reaches approximately 20 inches in height. It is highly stoloniferous and rhizomatous, similar to bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon, and will tack down at the nodes forming a dense turf. Seed heads are similar to other paspalums, and typically form a fork with 2 racemes. The leaves are fine, approximately 2mm in width, sharply pointed with large sheaths, a small, scale-like ligule, and have a deep blue-green color. Adaptation Seashore paspalum favors medium to fine textured soils with a pH between 6 and 8. It will not tolerate shade, drought, or freezing. It prefers moist to saturated sites and can withstand brief inundations. Prolonged flooding is detrimental. It is salt tolerant, with some varieties able to tolerate irrigation from sea water.

Distribution

Seashore paspalum is distributed across the southeastern seaboard from Texas to North Carolina. It is commonly associated with brackish and freshwater wetlands along the gulf and Atlantic coasts.

Establishment

Seashore paspalum produces seed, but they are rarely viable. It is established vegetatively using sod, containerized material, stolons, and rhizomes. Planting material may be harvested and planted in the same manner as bermudagrass. Rhizomes and sprigs root and grow easily within 7-14 days. When using sprigs, use at least two nodes per sprig to insure establishment, and keep moist until a strong root system develops. Young plants should be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer. Containerized material is best planted in the winter and early spring.

Management

Seashore paspalum responds well to nitrogen fertilization up to 8 lbs/1000 ft2 per year. However, nitrogen levels greater than 4 lbs/1000 ft2 per year promotes succulent growth, which encourages scalping when closely mowed as a turf grass. Nitrogen rates greater than 4 lbs/1000 ft2 should only be used if cutting is done high, such as for hay production. Scalping promotes disease, creates plant stress, and lowers productivity. Lower levels of nitrogen inhibit this and provide ample growth. Excellent results are obtained with split applications of ½ - 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 ft2 throughout the growing season. This is much lower than the fertility requirements of bermudagrasses. Seashore paspalum can out compete bermudagrass under such conditions. Due to its salinity tolerance, salt water may be used as inexpensive irrigation and a selective herbicide to maintain stands of seashore paspalum.

Pests and Potential Problems

When maintained properly, seashore paspalum has very few disease and insect problems. It is susceptible to damage from mole crickets, sod webworms, spittlebugs, white grubs, billbugs, cutworms, and fall army worms, but usually has no problems with chinch bugs. It is also susceptible to fusarium blight and Helminthosporium disease. Proper mowing heights, irrigation, and fertilization will minimize any effects from pests.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Morphology/Physiology

Reproduction

Suitability/Use

Seashore Paspalum