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 Hybrid (possibly Tifway 419 based on blade density)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11. Excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance, entering dormancy below 50°F and suffering winter-kill in northern climates.
About This Grass
A low-growing, highly resilient turfgrass with a medium to fine texture. It exhibits a gray-green to dark-green color, turning straw-colored in winter dormancy. Its seed heads are distinctive 3-7 finger-like spikes (digitate).
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Vernation is folded. The ligule is a conspicuous fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes and stolons. Exceptional establishment speed; prone to heavy thatch; high drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially the Southern United States.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive, forming a dense, thick mat through creeping above-ground and underground stems.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs; excellent drought tolerance. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches. High maintenance: requires frequent mowing, 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, and periodic vertical mowing/dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Superior traffic/wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent ability to crowd out weeds; rapid recovery from injury via stolons.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control. Can be invasive in garden beds due to aggressive rhizomes.