Wild Bermuda or Torpedo

Tomsal – posted 22 June 2001 23:17

I seeded my tilled lawn in spring with Bermuda, but have noticed a re-growth of a grass with runners like St. Augustine only much smaller. It grows very low to the ground and attaches itself every six inches or so (almost as if it it stitched in). Some people (not experts) have told me this is wild Bermuda or torpedo grass. De-thatching only seems to lift the strands up and breaks them as the rhizomes are fairly deep. Does anyone have any ideas for controlling/eradicating this weed? Also, some St Augustine has re-appeared. Can I get rid of it?Thanks

seed – posted 25 June 2001 11:51

Tomsal, here are some clues to identifying the weed:

St. Augustinegrass has only stolons (above the ground) and never rhizomes (below the ground). The internodes (the regions between stolon joints) are 2-4 mm thick, more-or-less 1/8 inch, and generally less than 100 mm (4 inches) apart.

Bermudagrass has both stolons and rhizomes, from 0.5 to maybe 1.5 mmm thick in most cases, and may sometimes have internode distances as great as 150 mm (6 inches). So therefore it can grow along the surface of the ground, and penetrate the ground to form rhizomes.

Torpedograss may form some stolons, but most of the plant consists of distinctively white rhizomes and attached tubers. Most of the new growth appears to come from underneath the ground. When it runs as stolons, they form internodes closer together than bermudagrass.

Let’s assume you have bermudagrass. If so, then it will be difficult to eradicate with a combination of selective spraying with Roundup, careful pulling, and digging.

Phil