Argentine and Pensacola are two types of Bahia grass . These warm - season varieties grow widely throughout and are adapted to the Gulf Coast region of the southeast United States , including Florida and the Coastal Plain . Both perennial grasses form pasture gage . Although they are like in many look , they have several differences , allowing gardener to grow one allot to their needs .

Appearance

Argentine Bahia grass is dark green with blanket blades than Pensacola Bahia . It constitute a few seed head and grows into dense turf . Pensacola Bahia has farseeing , narrow leaves and plenty of ejaculate heads . Its root organization runs very deep , sometimes up to 8 or 10 foot .

History

Argentine Bahia grass was brought to the United States from its native Argentina in 1944 . Ed Finlayson , an Escambia County extension phone factor , falter across Pensacola Bahia grass growing in vacant lots and street sides around Pensacola ’s loading dock .

Growth

Although Argentine Bahia starts its increment later than Pensacola Bahia , it continues bring forth more forage all the path up to the end of summertime and early fall . Pensacola Bahia starts its growth in early outflow and continues vigorously until midsummer . Its ontogenesis slows down toward the remainder of summer , and the timbre of the pasturage deteriorates .

Tolerance

Argentine Bahia dope prefer full sun and withstands poorly drain grunge . It also hold heavy rain and wet climate well than Pensacola Bahia . In fact , it can endure in stand water system for a considerable period of time without damage to its leaves . It is , however , susceptible to low temperature and frost . Pensacola Bahia is more shade - resistant than Argentine Bahia and is highly drouth - tolerant due to its all-encompassing root system . It is also more stale - tolerant than Argentine Bahia , which explains its growth toward the transition zone near the north . Any top growth killed by extreme cold and icing in those areas recovers shortly when temperature rise .

Usage

Gardeners plant Argentine Bahia in more plate lawns in the Southeast because of its fewer seminal fluid heads . It forms pasture sess in Florida and other coastal region . Argentine Bahia is more toothsome for cattle and horses , which is why it makes better pasture than Pensacola Bahia . The University of Georgia Cooperation Extension states that out of all the varieties of Bahia grasses , Pensacola is the most usually grown . It usually grows along road and in lawns .

Ergot Resistance

Argentine Bahia is highly susceptible to Claviceps purpurea . Ergot is a smut disease that thrives in seed heads and affects the health of grazing cattle . Pensacola Bahia has safe resistance to ergot , which is why it should be used on less fertile soils or those that will not be managed right . This type of Bahia grass is comparatively soft to maintain once it base itself as compared to other pasture grasses .

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