Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass, well-adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda or hybrid varieties like 'Tifway'
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10; exhibits high heat tolerance and moderate cold tolerance, going completely dormant and turning straw-colored below 50 degrees Fahrenheit
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with fine to medium texture. Color is bright green in active growing season, turning brown/tan during winter dormancy. The yellowing with moisture in the image may indicate root rot, fungal disease like large patch, or localized overwatering/poor drainage.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium blades (2-3 mm wide), flat to folded shape, pointed tips, grayish-green to medium green color, rolled in the bud (vernation), with a hairy ligule and absent auricles
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system with extensive rhizomes and stolons; moderate to high thatch tendency; establishes quickly from sod or seed, providing excellent wear recovery and drought resistance
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely cultivated globally in warm climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight); moderate water needs once established, but susceptible to moisture stress and fungal issues if overwatered; high drought tolerance through dormancy; prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches; requires frequent mowing during peak growth; high fertilizer requirement (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); regular dethatching and aeration needed; high maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recovery; highly aggressive growth habit helps crowd out weeds; fair salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; susceptible to fungal issues when excessively wet
Ecological Information
Widely used introduced warm-season turfgrass; provides excellent soil stabilization and erosion control due to dense root and stolon network; low wildlife value compared to native prairie grasses; can become weedy in flower beds due to aggressive spreading
Notes
Yellowing grass but feels moist