Carpetgrass (Axonopus scoparius): A Lesser-Known Native Grass Worth Understanding
If you’ve stumbled across the name carpetgrass or Axonopus scoparius in your native plant research, you’re not alone in wondering what exactly this grass is all about. This particular species is something of a botanical mystery – while it belongs to the well-known Axonopus genus of grasses, specific information about Axonopus scoparius itself is surprisingly scarce in most gardening resources.
What We Know About This Native Grass
Carpetgrass is a monocot grass that appears to be native to tropical or subtropical regions, though its exact native range isn’t well-documented in readily available sources. Like other members of the Axonopus genus, it’s likely a warm-season grass that forms low-growing mats or carpets – hence the common name carpetgrass.
The Information Gap Challenge
Here’s where things get a bit quirky: despite being a named species, Axonopus scoparius doesn’t appear in many standard botanical or gardening references with detailed growing information. This could mean several things:
- It might be a recently described species
- It could be primarily known in scientific circles rather than horticultural ones
- The species might have limited distribution or availability
- It may be confused with or synonymous with other Axonopus species
Should You Try to Grow Carpetgrass?
Given the limited information available, growing Axonopus scoparius presents some challenges. Without clear details about its growing requirements, hardiness zones, or potential invasiveness, it’s difficult to recommend this particular species for home gardens.
If you’re interested in carpetgrass for your landscape, you might want to consider other well-documented Axonopus species or similar native grasses that are better understood and more readily available from reputable native plant nurseries.
Better-Known Alternatives
If you’re drawn to low-growing, carpet-forming native grasses, consider researching these alternatives that are better documented and more widely available:
- Other Axonopus species with established cultivation information
- Regional native sedges that form similar growth patterns
- Local native bunch grasses suitable for groundcover use
The Bottom Line
While Axonopus scoparius (carpetgrass) is certainly an intriguing plant, the lack of specific cultivation information makes it a challenging choice for most gardeners. If you’re passionate about growing this particular species, your best bet would be to connect with botanical institutions, native plant societies, or specialized grass researchers who might have more detailed knowledge about its requirements and availability.
Sometimes in the native plant world, the most interesting species are also the most elusive – and carpetgrass appears to fall squarely into that category!
