Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, and Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (based on medium-coarse texture and growth density visible in image)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; enters straw-colored dormancy when temperatures drop below 50°F; poor shade tolerance.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing grass with a vibrant green to blue-green color. Formats a thick mat; mowed height is typically low, while unmowed it reaches 6-12 inches. Seed heads are distinct bird-foot-shaped spikes (4-5 spikes).
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or folded, ending in a sharp point. Vernation is folded. Ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent. Visible prominent veins on the upper surface.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous system with thick rhizomes. High thatch tendency; fast establishment; excellent drought tolerance and rapid wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa and Asia; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8+ hours); high drought tolerance but goes dormant without water; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5-1.5 inches; mowed 1-2 times per week; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to rapid growth and thatch buildup.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic/wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; highly invasive in garden beds; excellent ability to crowd out weeds in full sun; rapid recovery from damage.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in non-turf areas; often mixed with Ryegrass for winter color.