Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum, Gram. Monogr., Paspalum: 106 (1810))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Flüggé

Bibliography: Gram. Monogr., Paspalum: 106 (1810)

Year: 1810

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Paspalum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Peru to Brazil and N. Argentina

Description

Bahiagrass, scientifically known as Paspalum notatum, is a robust perennial grass that holds significant importance in various ecological and agricultural landscapes. Classified within the Poaceae family, this species was first described in detail by the botanist Flüggé in his 1810 monograph on grasses.

Thriving primarily in the regions from Peru to Brazil and extending to Northern Argentina, Bahiagrass has adapted well to diverse environments. Its hardy nature makes it especially valuable in both natural and managed settings. In the wild, it plays a critical role in stabilizing soil and providing forage for wildlife, proving particularly beneficial in areas prone to erosion due to its dense and resilient root system.

Agriculturally, Bahiagrass is cherished for its durability and low maintenance requirements. It is often utilized for pasture, given its ability to withstand heavy grazing pressure and its resistance to pests and diseases. Farmers value this grass not only for its persistence through varying climates but also for its capacity to improve soil fertility and structure over time.

In addition to its practical benefits, Bahiagrass is an important plant for lawn and turf applications. Its uniform growth pattern and tolerance to drought and poor soil conditions make it a preferred choice for sustainable landscaping. Whether used for aesthetic lawns, sports fields, or roadside erosion control, Bahiagrass continues to be a plant of considerable utility and ecological significance.

For those interested in further study, the definitive taxonomic work on Bahiagrass can be traced to Flüggé’s comprehensive examination published in 1810. His meticulous documentation laid the foundation for the continued appreciation and utilization of Paspalum notatum in both agricultural and ecological contexts.

Common Names

Eng: bahia grass, bahiagrass
Deu: bahiagras
Spa: alpargata, cambute, cañamazo, grama dulce, pasto horqueta, sacasebo
Ita: erba di bahia
Por: grama-batatais, grama-forquilha
Fra: herbe de bahia
En: Bahiagrass, Bahia grass, Beira grass
Ab: Bahiagras
Ca: Herba badia
Zh: 巴西亞雀稗, 百喜草
Fr: Herbe de Bahia
De: Bahiagras
It: Erba di bahia
Pt: Grama batatais, Grama forquilha, Grama-batatais, Grama-forquilha
Es: Alpargata, Cambute, Cañamazo, Grama dulce, Pasto horqueta, Sacasebo
Zh-tw: 巴西亞雀稗
Zh-hant: 百喜草

Synonyms

• Paspalum notatum var. latiflorum (Döll)
• Paspalum taphrophyllum (Steud.)
• Paspalum saltense (Arechav.)
• Paspalum notatum var. typicum (Parodi)
• Paspalum uruguayense (Arechav.)
• Paspalum distachyon (Willd. ex Döll)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Belize (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Kamthenlal Dimngel (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Dec 10, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 17, 2022 by Julien Kippelen (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:414477-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705621)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Paspalum notatum Flüggé)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth