Identification

• St. Augustine is a grass that grows well in Mediterranean climates. Roots grow both above and below the ground. This grass has dark green, broad leaves and are found in pastures and ranches, as well as lawns. At times, this grass may not spread well.
  
  

Varieties

• Scientists developed these different varieties of St. Augustine grass to defeat certain bugs and diseases. Captiva resists chincha and tolerates mowing. Floratine and palmetto have a deeper green color and tolerate mowing and cooler temperatures. Floratam and Raleigh resist the St. Augustine decline virus along with fighting the chincha bugs and tolerate mowing. Seville combines all the above traits. Texas common was the first variety, though St. Augustine decline has weakened it and caused people not to want that variety. It produces yellow patches, giving the lawn a mottled appearance.
  
  

Warning

• St. Augustine likely will have St. Augustine decline (SAD) unless you use one of the resistant varieties. You can confuse SAD with iron chlorosis. SAD, even with fertilizer, does not recover well and the spots will remain. Hired mowers can infect healthy lawns with contaminated equipment unknowingly.