Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, high heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns brown with first frost.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda or hybrid turf cultivars like Tifway
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured, bright green turf that spreads rapidly via above-ground stolons and underground rhizomes. Can grow up to 6-12 inches if unmowed, but maintained much lower.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium (2-3mm wide), flat, pointed tips, grayish-green to bright green, folded in the bud with a membranous ligule fringed with hairs, and no auricles.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system with extensive stolons and rhizomes providing excellent drought tolerance and fast wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and rhizomatous, highly aggressive, dense mat-forming
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (poor shade tolerance), moderate to high water needs for best appearance, excellent drought tolerance by entering dormancy.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 0.5 to 1.5 inches frequently, high maintenance, requires regular fertilization (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually) and frequent dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, rapid recovery, good salt tolerance, excellent for lawns, sports fields, and golf courses.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good soil stabilization and erosion control, can become invasive in flower beds due to aggressive spreading.