centipede grass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Horticultural / Gardening
Quick answer
What does “centipede grass” mean?
A low-maintenance, slow-growing, coarse-textured turfgrass, known for its tolerance to poor soil and heat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A low-maintenance, slow-growing, coarse-textured turfgrass, known for its tolerance to poor soil and heat.
A common name for the creeping perennial grass species *Eremochloa ophiuroides*, used primarily for lawns in warm climates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is largely unknown outside specialized horticulture. In the US Southeast, it is a common lawn grass name.
Connotations
In the US, it connotes a hardy, low-maintenance lawn for warm regions. In the UK, it has no cultural connotations due to lack of use.
Frequency
Very rare in UK English; common in regional American English (especially the Southern and Southeastern US).
Grammar
How to Use “centipede grass” in a Sentence
[subject] planted [object] centipede grassThe [lawn/yard] is [covered/sodded] with [centipede grass].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “centipede grass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We are considering centipeding the lawn next spring. (Inferred/rare)
American English
- We're going to centipede the backyard this fall. (Inferred/rare)
adverb
British English
- [No established adverbial use]
American English
- [No established adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- The centipede-grass lawn requires little fertiliser.
American English
- We're looking for a centipede grass specialist to treat our lawn.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in landscaping or garden centre contexts.
Academic
Used in botany, horticulture, or agricultural texts describing turfgrass species.
Everyday
Used by gardeners and homeowners, primarily in the southeastern United States.
Technical
Standard term in agronomy and turf management for the specific species.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “centipede grass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “centipede grass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “centipede grass”
- Spelling as 'centapede grass' or 'centepede grass'. Using it as a general term for any creeping grass.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different species. Centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) is finer, slower-growing, and more cold-sensitive than St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum).
It grows best in warm, humid climates like the southeastern United States (USDA zones 7-10), in acidic, sandy, well-drained soils.
The name comes from the appearance of its stolons (above-ground creeping stems), which are said to resemble the many legs of a centipede.
Centipede grass is drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering than many other turfgrasses. Deep watering once a week during dry periods is often sufficient.
A low-maintenance, slow-growing, coarse-textured turfgrass, known for its tolerance to poor soil and heat.
Centipede grass is usually technical / horticultural / gardening in register.
Centipede grass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛntɪpiːd ɡrɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛn(t)əˌpid ɡræs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A CENTIPEDE has many legs that creep along the ground; CENTIPEDE GRASS spreads via creeping stems (stolons).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LAWN IS A LOW-EFFORT CARPET (due to its low-maintenance nature).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key characteristic of centipede grass?