TYPES OF LAWN GRASSES

Lawns primarily are made up of grasses. Though there is certain grass like plants species viz sedges, low herbs and some wild flowers which can be used as an alternative to these grass species. Here we will be focusing on grasses only. There are several species of grasses which can be used for developing lawns. Some of these prefer warm and humid temperature while others require cool and dry weather. These are known as Lawn grasses and can be categorized in several ways. However, most commonly the lawn grasses are categorized as cool season and warm season grasses on the basis of the season of foliage. 

List of lawn grasses on the basis of season of their foliage

Common Name	Botanical Name
A. Warm-Season Grasses
Bahia Grass	Paspalum Notatum
Bermuda Grass	Cynodon Dactylon
Buffalo Grass	Buchloe Dactyloides
Carpet Grass	Axonopus Affinis
Centipede Grass	Eremochloa Ophiuroides
Kikuyu Grass	Pennisetum Clandestinum
Seashore Paspalum	Paspalum Vaginatum
St. Augustine Grass	Stenotaphrum Secundatum
Japanese Lawn Grass	Zoysia Japonica
Mascarene Grass	Zoysia Tenuifolia
B. Cool-Season Grasses
Annual Blue Grass	Poa Annua
Annual Rye Grass	Lolium Multiflorum
Chewings Fescue	Festuca Rubra spp. rubra
Colonial Bent Grass	Agrostis Tenuis
Creeping Bent Grass	Agrostis Palustris
Creeping Red Fescue	Festuca Rubra spp. rubra
Hard Fescue Festuca	Ovina spp. Duriuscula
Kentucky Blue Grass	Poa Pratensis
Perennial Rye Grass	Lolium Perenne
Rough Blue Grass	Poa Trivialis
Tall Fescue	Festuca Arundinacea
Velvet Bent Grass	Agrostis Canina

A. Warm Season Lawn Grass

Warm season lawn grasses are mostly drought tolerant grasses and some of these can survive as high as 45°C where as low temperature (-15 °C) can kill most of the warm season grasses. These requires a minimum temperature of 10°C for its growth. However the sitable range for the temperature requirement is around 25°C-35 °C. It requires one long growing period over spring and summer and stay dormant in cooler season. Low temperature result in discolouration of foliage turning tits shades to tan/brown. Important warm season grasses are described as under

Bermuda grass (Cynodon spp.)

Bermuda grass which is also known as Doob grass is a major turf species for sport fields, lawns, parks, golf courses and general utility turfs in India, Australia, Africa, South America and the Southern region of the United States. It is found in over 100 countries throughout the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The genus Cynodon comprises nine species with C. dactylon being the most widespread. These grasses can easily be grown from their seeds. Common Bermuda grass, C. dactylon, is naturalized throughout the warmer regions of the India. Bermuda grass has numerous turf uses. It is a tetraploid species with broad genetic variability serves to explain its widespread distribution. Other Cynodon species have a more limited natural distribution and are often restricted to one particular habitat. C. dactylon is highly fertile, whereas the diploid species such as C. transvaalensis rarely produce viable seed.

2. Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum)

Paspalum notatum, is also known as Bahia Grass, Common Bahia or Pensacola Bahia, is a tropical to subtropical perennial grass (family Poaceae). Bahia grass is native to Mexico and South America. It prefers sandy soils and is tolerant to shade. Bahia grass is a warm season lawn and pasture grass and can survive period of drought. It involves moderate maintenance and mowing and is prone to less diseases and insect problems when compared to other warm lawn grass types. There are several varieties of Bahia grass of which Argentine and Pensacola are more popular. It is a hardy grass for lawn purpose.

3. Carpet grass (Axonopus spp.)

Grasses of genus Axonopus is a generally known as carpet grass. They are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of America. They are sometimes rhizomatous and many are tolerant of periodic submersion. Selected species:

• Axonopus affinis – narrow leaf carpet grass
• Axonopus aureus - golden carpet grass
• Axonopus compressus - broadleaf carpet grass
• Axonopus fissifolius - common carpet grass
• Axonopus furcatus - big carpet grass

Carpet grasses are warm season grasses that grow well on poor and wet soil where other grasses do not even grow. They are shallow rooted and hence do not tolerate drought condition. These are cold tolerant and are ideal for shady, damp and moist area.

4. Centipede grass (Eremochloa ciliaris)

Centipede grass of all warm season grass types, involves least maintenance. They are uniform growing, thick sod forming and have a medium to light green coloured grass. It is a creeping perennial grass that adapts itself well to sandy and acidic soils of low fertility grade.

5. Zoysia Grass (Zyosia spp.)

It is native to China, Japan and other parts of Southeast Asia. The species was named to commemorate an 18th century Austrian botanist, Karl von Zois. Zyosia grass a highly versatile species, make ideal lawn grasses in some situations and can be used on golf courses, parks and athletic fields. They can be grown in all kinds of soils ranging from sandy to clay soils, both acid and alkaline in reaction. Zoysia grass is extremely drought tolerant. it turns straw colored under severe drought conditions and has the capacity to respond quickly to subsequent irrigation or rainfall. Its water requirements are similar to those of Bermuda grasses. The leaf blades of Zoysia grass are among the first to roll under drought conditions, hence conserve moisture more effectively than other species. Zoysia grass also has deep root system which helps extracting water from greater soil depths more effectively. Zoysia grass is nearly as salt tolerant as Bermuda grass. It is widely grown along sandy seashores where drainage is adequate. Zoysia grass does not tolerate poorly drained soils irrespective of soil pH reaction. Zoysia grasses are among the most wear tolerant turf grasses. However, these are slow growing with very poor recuperative potential. Therefore, they perform only satisfactorily on lawns, golf course fairways and baseball fields.

B. Cool Season Lawn Grass

Cool season grasses are for temperate condition and require a minimum temperature of 5°C for its growth. The suitable temperature range for their proper growth is 10°C-25°C. These require cool summer with two growing periods of rapid growth in summer and spring. These grasses retain their colour at extremely low temperature. These generally develope into dense carpet like lawns with very little thatch. Some important cool season lawn grasses are described as under

Bent Grass (Agrostis spp.)

Bentgrass (Agrostis) is a large genus with over 100 species. In Europe and parts of Asia, the grass is native and commonly found in lawns, pastures and sport fields. It is considered the most beautiful of lawn grasses owing to its texture, deep green colour, thick density and low growing habit. They thrive in cool climates and are called luxury grass that involves high maintenance. Colonial, creeping and velvet are its varieties that differ in growing habits and texture owing to climate and environments. Bent grass can be planted either by seed or sod. They are preferred in the gardens because of their deep green colour and low growing habit. They are also called as velvet grasses. Bent grass tolerates acid soil conditions and prefers full sun. Used primarily for golf courses, putting greens, baseball fields and very elegant lawns. It has the ability to grow in a wide range of soil types and can tolerate very acid soils.

Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)

They require medium amount of lawn care and are ideal for home as well as for sports areas. They are very beautiful with their dense, high quality deep bluish appearance or bright green appearance. They are deep bluish or bright blue green in appearance. It is a highly variable species, with cultivars that differ in color, texture, density, vigor, disease resistance and tolerance to close mowing.

Rye Grass (Lolium multiflorum)

Rye grass grows well and fast from seed. It is not as aggressive as some other types of turf because it spreads by growing larger clumps, rather than sending out rhizomes or stolons. Therefore, the seeding rate is higher than for some other grasses.