Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid naturalized variety)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, grey-green grass that forms a thick sod via stolons and rhizomes. It turns tan/brown during winter dormancy. In its unmowed state, it produces seed heads that look like a bird's foot with 3-7 spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharp pointed tip. Color is typically grey-green to dark green. Vernation is folded, the ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both rhizomes and stolons; high thatch tendency; very fast establishment and high wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive spreader forming a dense, mat-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8 hours minimum), high drought tolerance, prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0, moderate water needs during active growth.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.0-2.0 inches; high frequency mowing required; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance level; requires periodic vertical mowing to manage thatch.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic tolerance, high salt tolerance, poor shade tolerance, high drought recovery, effective at crowding out most weeds when healthy.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in garden beds; often used in mixtures for sports fields and pastures.