Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4, widely used in the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, Chloridoideae, tribe Chlorideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Golf Course, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a common or older hybrid variety based on texture)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; enters dormancy when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing turf grass with a medium-to-fine texture. It is medium green in color, turning straw-colored during winter dormancy. It forms a thick, carpet-like sod that can withstand heavy traffic.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are narrow (2-4mm), flat or folded in the bud, with a pointed tip. Color is light to medium green. It features a fringe of hairs as a ligule and lacks auricles. Tiny hairs are often visible on the leaf surface and margins.
Root System
Extensive and deep fibrous root system combined with vigorous rhizomes and stolons; develops significant thatch; very fast establishment.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical climates worldwide
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and stoloniferous; highly aggressive mat-forming habit
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8 hours daily); high drought tolerance once established; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0 to 2.5 inches; frequent mowing needed during peak summer; high fertilization (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year); requires periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery speed; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; excellent for erosion control and high-traffic sports fields.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; can be invasive in gardens/flower beds; provides soil stabilization; primarily used for functional landscapes rather than wildlife habitat.