Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass. Well-adapted to transition and warm-season zones.
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 turf cultivars like 'Tifway 419', known for fine texture and dense turf.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance, goes dormant and turns straw-colored with the first hard frost, recovering rapidly in spring.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with grayish-green to bright green leaves. Spreads aggressively via runners. Can grow several inches tall if unmowed, but maintained as a low carpet. Produces digitated seed heads with 3 to 7 spikes radiating from a single point.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium blades (2-3 mm wide), flat or folded, with pointed tips. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Collar is continuous with small hairs or auricles absent.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil, coupled with aggressive stolons and rhizomes. Establishes rapidly from sod or sprigs, moderate to high thatch tendency, excellent drought recovery and wear tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide. Widely cultivated in the southern United States and transition zones.
Growth Habit
Aggressive spreader utilizing both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground). Forms a dense, wear-resistant mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight). High drought tolerance once established through deep root system, but requires regular moisture for optimal appearance. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches for hybrid varieties, up to 2 inches for common Bermuda. High fertilization requirement during peak growth (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Requires regular dethatching and aeration. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, good recovery from damage, high salt tolerance, excellent erosion control, poor shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control. Can act as an invasive weed in flower beds and cool-season turf due to its aggressive spreading nature.