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, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda or Hybrid (likely 'Tifway 419' given the fine texture and lawn usage)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; high heat tolerance, goes dormant when soil temperatures drop below 55°F (13°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense turfgrass with a fine to medium texture. It is dark green during the growing season and turns tan/brown during winter dormancy. It produces a distinctive 'bird's foot' seed head with 3–7 spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (1.5-3mm), flat or slightly folded, with a pointed tip. Vernation is folded. Ligule is a fringe of short white hairs; auricles are absent. Color ranges from light to dark green depending on fertilization.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (aboveground). High thatch-forming tendency; very fast establishment speed and excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive spreader forming a dense, low mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8+ hours); poor shade tolerance. Moderate water needs with very high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
0.5 to 1.5 inches for hybrids, up to 2.5 for common. High frequency; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year. High maintenance; requires frequent vertical mowing (dethatching) and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent drought recovery; aggressive enough to crowd out most weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in the US; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in gardens/flower beds; often blended with Ryegrass for winter color.