Bermudagrass (Common)
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermudagrass (likely naturalized/uncultivated variety)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; high heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance; enters dormant brown state below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, grey-green to dark green grass that forms a thick mat. It has a medium to fine texture when maintained, but can become coarse and stemmy if left unmowed. It turns brown and goes dormant during cold winter temperatures.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or folded, with a pointed tip. Vernation is folded. It features a conspicuous fringe of hairs at the ligule and lacks auricles. The collar is narrow and hairy at the edges.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground). It has extreme thatch-forming tendencies and excellent wear recovery due to its rapid spreading.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates globally.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive spreading habit forming a dense mat or sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8 hours minimum); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0; goes dormant during prolonged dry spells to survive.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches for common varieties; high frequency mowing required; fertilization needs 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to rapid growth.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; very poor shade tolerance; highly invasive in garden beds; excellent for erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides cover for small wildlife; high soil stabilization value; can be an invasive weed in non-turf settings; often blended with Ryegrass for winter color.