Seashore Paspalum

Similar in general appearance to St. Augustine grass. To look nice as a turf grass, seashore paspalum requires water and fertilizer and needs frequent mowing. High tolerance for heat and salt and will tolerate some shade. Tolerates some traffic and can recover quickly from moderate wear during spring and summer, but not suited to heavy uses such as ball fields. There is question on how appropriate it is to consider the cultivated varieties native.

The range in Florida is essentially the sandy coastal areas.  A few other herbarium specimens appear to have been gathered from disturbed areas.  Given that this species is being used as a turf grass, we can expect it to occasionally occur outside of its historic settings.



Used as a turf grass or in a wet meadow.

Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation)



High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury.

Said to be hard to cut and requires frequent cutting. If cut too low, it may recover slowly.

Beaches, borders of salt marshes, disturbed brackish sites.

• Interesting foliage