Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a common or seeded type based on coarse stolons)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns straw-colored when temperatures drop below 50°F; poor shade tolerance.
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense, and aggressive sod-forming grass. Grey-green to dark green color, turning brown during winter dormancy. Features flat to slightly folded blades and a distinctive finger-like (digitate) seed head when unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 2-4mm (medium); tip shape pointed; vernation folded; ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles absent; nodes often show purple pigmentation as seen in the image; blades typically hairless or with sparse hairs at the base.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes; high thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment speed; excellent drought recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
African origin; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates globally
Growth Habit
Highly invasive and spreading via both stolons (above-ground runners) and rhizomes (underground stems)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance once established; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; needs moderate water during active growth.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5-1.5 inches for turf; frequent mowing required; high nitrogen needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); high maintenance for manicured appearance.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery speed; high salt tolerance; highly invasive in garden beds; excellent for erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization; can be a significant weed in agricultural and ornamental settings; companion grasses include Ryegrass for winter overseeding.