View source for Stenotaphrum secundatum

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Poaceae
|genus=Stenotaphrum
|species=secundatum
|common_name=Buffalo grass, Grama, St Augustine grass
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|habit=grass
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|Min ht box=2
|Min ht metric=in
|Max ht box=16
|Max ht metric=in
|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|Min wd box=2
|Min wd metric=in
|Max wd box=16
|Max wd metric=in
|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|lifespan=perennial
|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|exposure=sun
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|water=moderate
|features=evergreen
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=9
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|max_zone=11
|image=Staugustinegrass.JPG
|image_width=240
|image_caption=St. Augustine Grass
}}
'''St. Augustine grass''' (''Stenotaphrum secundatum'') (also known as Charleston Grass in South Carolina) is a warm season [[lawn]] [[grass]] that is popular for use in [[tropical]] and [[subtropical]] regions. It is a low to medium maintenance grass that forms a thick, carpetlike lawn, crowding out most [[weed]]s and other grasses.

St. Augustine is a dark green grass with broad, flat blades. It spreads by above ground [[stolon]]s and forms a dense layer of grass.

St. Augustine is one of the most shade tolerant warm season grasses, thriving beneath partial shade of large [[tree]]s, [[shrub]]s, and structures.

St. Augustine grass is one type of grass that commonly exists in most [[Caribbean]] and [[Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]] areas. It breeds best in tropical climates. It is often seen in lagoons, marshes, shorelines and wherever there is a good amount of moisture.

It is native to both sides of the [[Atlantic ocean]],<ref name="hear">http://www.hear.org/pier/species/stenotaphrum_secundatum.htm</ref> including much of the southeastern United States,<ref>http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/node/439</ref><ref>http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=STSE</ref> Mexico,<ref name="hear" /> and Central and South America.<ref name="hear" /> It has escaped cultivation in [[California]],<ref>http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=7783</ref> many Pacific islands,<ref name="hear"/> and [[New Zealand]].<ref name="hear"/>

St. Augustine can grow in a wide range of soil types with 5.0 to 8.5 [[pH]]. St. Augustine grasses will be in full bloom between springtime and summer.

St. Augustine grasses are popularly used in pastures and ranches. They are also a popular grass covers for home lawns. It rivals the reputation of [[Bermuda grass]], although St. Augustine grasses are somewhat less [[drought]] tolerant.

==Cultivation==


===Propagation===
St Augustine grass produces runners that allow it to grow and spread.

Only recently has commercially valuable viable seed for St. Augustine become available, so it has typically been propagated by [[Plug (horticulture)|plug]]s, [[sprigging|sprig]]s, or [[sod]]. Once the grasses are [[cultivate]]d, then they can propagate on their own. 

===Pests and diseases===


==Varieties==
St. Augustine comes in several varieties:
*'''Captiva<sup>(R)</sup>'''. Released in 2008. Developed by the University of Florida for its [[Chinch bug]] resistance and dwarf profile which requires less mowing. 
*'''Floratine'''. Released 1959. Darker color, finer texture, tolerated lower temperatures and lower [[mow]]ing.
*'''Floratam'''. Released 1972. Resists SAD and [[chinch bug]]s. Not as cold- or shade-tolerant.
*'''Palmetto'''. Released in 1989. Selected for its shade tolerance and cold tolerance. 
*'''Raleigh'''. Released 1980. SAD resistant and shade tolerant, but susceptible to chinch bugs.
*'''Sapphire'''. Released 2004. Selected from Australia for its dark blue green color and rapid lateral growth.
*'''Seville'''. Released 1980. Finer texture than Floratam, but shared Floratam's strengths and weaknesses.
*'''Texas Common'''. May be the original St. Augustine. It has fallen out of favor due to its susceptibility to the incurable [[St. Augustine Decline]] (SAD) virus.
*'''Variegatum'''.  Has lvs. striped with white, and is used as a basket-plant.{{SCH}}

==Gallery==
<gallery perrow=5>
File:Starr 070906-8535 Stenotaphrum secundatum.jpg| photo 1
File:Starr 080314-3564 Stenotaphrum secundatum.jpg| photo 2
File:Starr 080602-5469 Stenotaphrum secundatum.jpg| photo 3
File:Starr 030612-0090 Stenotaphrum secundatum.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==External links==
*{{wplink}}

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