Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4 photosynthesis
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appearing chlorotic/yellowed in photo)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11. Excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns tan/brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, mat-forming grass that can grow 4-18 inches if unmowed. The photo shows an extremely stressed or nutrient-deficient (likely iron/nitrogen) yellowed specimen exhibiting a dense, multi-branched growth pattern with visible stolons reaching across bare soil.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or folded, with a sharp pointed tip. Color is naturally dark green but currently light lime-yellow. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (can reach 6 feet) with extensive rhizomes. Forms dense sod, has high thatch-forming potential, and establishes very quickly in warm weather.
Growing Information
Origin Region
African origin; naturalized globally in tropical and subtropical regions; thrives in southern US climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (minimum 6-8 hours); poor shade tolerance. Moderate water needs with very high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Requires frequent mowing and high fertilization (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually) to maintain green color and density.
Special Characteristics
Superior wear and traffic tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent ability to recover from damage via stolons; highly invasive in garden beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/invasive status in many regions; provide minimal wildlife cover; excellent for soil stabilization and preventing erosion on slopes; often found with Crabgrass or Clover in unmaintained areas.