Centipede Grass

Eremochloa ophiuroides

Found in lawns, roadsides, weedy in open, more natural sites. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height: About 4.8 inches
Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture: Somewhat dry to moist

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Needle Spikerush
Eleocharis acicularis
Sun: Full sun. Soil: Moist to wet. Flowers: White.
Similar growth form, evergreen or deciduous, bloom season
Purple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Sun: Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Brown/copper, pink, purple or red.
Similar growth form, evergreen or deciduous, bloom season

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At a glance

Life cycle: Perennial
Bloom: June to October

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Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 24 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

6CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Eremochloa

Feltia subterraneaSubterranean Dart, Granulate Cutworm
Hermeuptychia sosybiusCarolina Satyr
Herpetogramma phaeopteralisDusky Herpetogramma Moth,
Megisto cymelaLittle Wood Satyr
Polites themistoclesTawny-Edged Skipper
Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Poaceae
Hardiness: Zones 7a–10b
Soil pH: Acidic
Flower color: Purple
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth habit: Spreads by runners
Foliage color: Green

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “June to October” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “Purple” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Foliage color · “Green” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Growth habit · “Spreads by runners” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Growth rate · “Rapid” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Hardiness · “Zones 7a–10b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “About 4.8 inches” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Life cycle · “Perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Moist; Occasionally dry” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil pH · “Acidic” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

Centipedegrass

Conservation status

Alabama rank	SNA
Global rank	GNR
AL status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source