Low-growing and creeping with stolons and stout, scaly rhizomes. Stolons are pressed firmly to the ground, have short internodes, and root freely from the nodes forming a dense sod.
Flat, tough-textured leaves are usually hairless, with blades 2-6 mm wide. They are flat, folded, and inrolled, tapering to a fine point. The leaf bases at the terminus of each rhizome usually have a purplish hue.
Stems usually reach 20-75 cm tall.
Used primarily as a forage.
Nutritive value remains high when mature, but it is not very productive.
Also valued as an erosion-controlling soil stabilizer, as well as for its productivity, ease of establishment and persistence.
Makes a relatively low-maintenance turfgrass as well, with less disease and insect problems than some of the other warm-season grasses.
