This stoloniferous perennial grass has short rhizomes and forms a dense mat habit. It has dark green broad lanced-shaped leaves that may be folded and the flowers appear in a slender inflorescence above the foliage throughout the growing period.

Hardiness zones 9 to 12

Axonopus compressus is naturally found in North America from southern Florida to Mexico and extending to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatermala, Honduras and Panama. it is also found in South America from Argentina to Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Venezuela growing in the understory of humid woodlands and savannah from sea level to an altitude of 3,000 m (9,842 ft).

It prefers a semi-shaded to sunny protected position and grows in well to moderately drained sandy to sandy loam or light clay soils that are tending acidic with a pH range from 5.5 to 6.0. It is a drought and frost tender recovers from fire quickly and tolerates heavy grazing.

Blanket Grass is grown for its dense mat habit and this shade tolerance. It is planted in parks and gardens under trees or as a lawn in a moist area. It is also used in subtropical gardens as a ground cover for use in paddocks for grazing. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and establishes in one season and is moderately long-lived. The spread of grass has naturalised in many subtropical regions including Australia and Africa were as cultivated as a turf grass. ID 2391

Axonopus (aks-ON--oh-pus) compressus (kom-PRESS-us)

Poaceae(poh_AY-see-ee)
Grass Family