Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid variety due to leaf texture and density)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; high heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry, dark green grass with a high density. It turns straw-colored during winter dormancy. If left unmowed, it reaches 6 to 12 inches with bird-foot shaped seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, pointed tip, light to mid-green; vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system with extensive rhizomes and stolons; high thatch tendency; fast establishment; excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; aggressive spreader forming a dense, mat-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0 to 7.0; requires regular deep watering during peak growth.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches; frequent mowing required; high fertility needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year); high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; excellent ability to crowd out weeds once established.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; considered invasive in some agricultural contexts.