Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Chloridoideae, Tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely Hybrid Bermuda (e.g., Tifway 419) based on fine texture and density
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; enters dormancy when temperatures drop below 50°F; susceptible to winter kill in northern transition zones.
About This Grass
A low-growing, high-density turfgrass with a fine to medium texture. It exhibits a deep green color when actively growing and turns tan/brown during winter dormancy. It forms a thick, resilient sod via above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (1.5-3mm), flat or slightly folded, pointed tip, dark green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule consists of a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and highly branched fibrous system with extensive rhizomes. Fast establishment speed, moderate to high thatch tendency, and excellent drought tolerance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
African origin; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive spreading habit forming a dense mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; requires regular deep watering during heat for best appearance.
Mowing & Maintenance
0.5 to 1.5 inches for hybrids; high frequency (1-2 times per week); 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; requires periodic dethatching and aeration; high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; rapid recovery from injury; highly competitive against weeds; used for athletic fields and high-end lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in the US; provides high soil stabilization and erosion control; can be invasive in garden beds; rarely provides wildlife food but offers dense cover for small insects.