Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (or similar fine-textured turf cultivars like 'Tifway')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10 (can survive in Zone 6 with cold-hardy varieties). Excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns straw-colored with first frosts.
About This Grass
Forms a very dense, fine to medium-textured turf with a bright green to gray-green color. Mows very low cleanly. Seed heads consist of 3 to 7 digitate spikes branching from the top of the stem.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are short, flat, grayish-green to blue-green, with pointed tips and rough margins. Medium-fine width (2-3mm). Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, auricles absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high fertility, establishes rapidly from sod or seed, excellent drought recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in warm temperate to tropical climates globally.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours direct sunlight). High drought tolerance via dormancy, but requires regular irrigation for lush growth. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches (can be lower for golf greens). Requires frequent mowing during peak growing season. High fertilizer requirements (3-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recuperative ability. Good salt tolerance. Poor shade tolerance. Susceptible to certain diseases like dollar spot and large patch under high humidity.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Can become invasive in agricultural or flower beds due to aggressive spreading stolons and rhizomes.