Bahiagrass

Bahiagrass has short stolons, but it does not spread well and often makes an open, almost clumpy turf. It has good wear tolerance but recovers slowly from damage. Shade tolerance is better than bermudagrass, and it is extremely drought-tolerant because of an extensive root system. It is this extensive root system that enables bahiagrass to invade lawns during times of drought and displace more desirable species.

The main disadvantage to bahiagrass is the tall seed stalk that grows quickly when the grass is under stress. One story told is that only a very small lawn can be completely free of seedheads, because they arise so quickly that the started edge will have new seedheads before the far edge is cut.