Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (inferred from the coarse texture and visible stoloniferous spreading in the bare soil area)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10; high heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance; enters dormancy when temperatures consistently drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry grass that forms a thick sod. In the image, it shows a medium to dark green color with a medium-coarse texture. It goes dormant and turns straw-colored in winter. Seed heads are distinctive finger-like spikes (digitate), though not clearly blooming in the photo.
Blade Characteristics
Width is medium (2-4mm); blades are flat or slightly folded with a pointed tip; vernation is folded; color is typically grayish-green to dark green. It features a fringe of hairs for a ligule and lacks auricles.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes and stolons; low thatch tendency if managed; high establishment speed through runners; excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both Rhizomatous (underground) and Stoloniferous (above ground) spreading; forms a dense, low-growing mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires Full Sun (8+ hours); poor shade tolerance; moderate water needs but extremely high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height: 0.5 to 1.5 inches; high frequency (once or twice weekly); requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance level for peak appearance.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent drought recovery; aggressive enough to crowd out most weeds; prone to Dollar Spot and Large Patch diseases.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in garden beds (as seen creeping toward the pavers); limited wildlife value compared to native bunchgrasses.