Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (inferred from visible growth patterns and blade texture)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
Dense, mat-forming turf with a medium to fine texture. High density when maintained, turning straw-brown in winter dormancy. Seed heads are spike-like with 3-7 finger-like branches.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, sharply pointed tips. Color is typically grey-green to dark green. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous roots; heavy thatch producer; fast establishment and excellent wear recovery due to rhizomes/stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical regions globally (USDA zones 7-11)
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and Rhizomatous (aggressive spreading above and below ground)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0 - 2.5 inches height; frequent mowing; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance requiring annual aeration and dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; rapid recovery from injury via stolons.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization; can be invasive in garden beds; often used in mixtures for erosion control.