Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Pasture/Forage, and often considered an invasive weed in non-target areas
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-improved or wild-type variety based on leaf width and spacing)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance (9-12), moderate cold tolerance; enters dormant straw-colored state after first hard frost.
About This Grass
A low-growing, grey-green, wire-like grass that forms a thick mat. It recovers quickly from damage due to its aggressive spreading nature. When unmowed, it produces finger-like seed heads. It turns tan/brown and goes dormant in winter temperatures below 50°F (10°C).
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, pointed tips, gray-green to bluish-green color. Rolled vernation in the bud, a hairy ligule (fringe of white hairs), no auricles, and a narrow collar with long hairs on the margins.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes and stolons; high thatch-forming tendency; very fast establishment speed and excellent drought recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa, widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially throughout the southern United States
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive with both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground creepers); forms a dense, mat-forming sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate watering once established; extreme drought tolerance but goes dormant without water.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches; high frequency mowing required during peak summer growth. Needs 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year. High maintenance level for high-quality turf.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance and salt tolerance; high drought recovery ability; crowds out most other weeds when healthy; susceptible to Dollar Spot and Large Patch in cool/wet transitions.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization on slopes; can be highly invasive in gardens and flower beds; often blended with Ryegrass for winter color through overseeding.