Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze. Common name: St. Augustine Grass, Carpet Grass, Shore Grass. Phenology: Jul-Oct. Habitat: Brackish and freshwater tidal marshes, roadsides, dunes, lawns. Distribution: A pioneer species of beaches and shores, S. secundatum was known from the Carolinas prior to 1800. It has been interpreted as native or introduced in our area; its original range is probably now impossible to determine. Sauer (1972) maps it as widespread along the coasts of s. North America, Central America, South America, the West Indies, Africa, Australia, and sw. Pacific Islands. In our area it is certainly now more frequently encountered as a lawn or roadside grass than in anything that could be construed as a natural habitat. The other 6 species in the genus are Asian, or on islands of the sw. Pacific or Indian Oceans.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: The nativity of this species is complicated by selection for turfgrass and hybridization with genotypes from the Old World (e.g. s. Africa). Extant populations may represent more aggressive forms than historical.

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Bah, ETx1, FlGr, FNA25, HC, K4, Meso6, Mo1, NcTx, RAB, S, S13, SFla, Tx, WH3, Sauer (1972); = n/a — C; Ischaemum secundatum Walter. Basionym: Ischaemum secundatum Walter 1788

Links to other floras: = Stenotaphrum secundatum - FNA25

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
• Great Plains: FAC

Heliophily ⓘ: 8