Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4 metabolism
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (identifiable by wider blades and longer internodes compared to hybrid 'Tifway' varieties)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance, enters dormancy below 50-55°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry grass that is greyish-green to dark green. It remains short when mowed but can reach 12 inches if left uncut. Features a 'finger-like' seed head (raceme) that resembles a crow's foot. It turns brown and goes dormant during cold weather.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly V-shaped with a sharp pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule consists of a fringe of white hairs. No auricles. Leaf blades are typically hairless but the sheath and margins may have sparse hairs.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive fibrous root system with both underground rhizomes and surface stolons. Forms a dense, heavy sod. Fast to establish but prone to heavy thatch buildup.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; now naturalized worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions; thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7-10
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and rhizomatous; highly aggressive spreader forming a dense, thick mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (needs at least 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; highly drought tolerant due to deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height of 1.0 to 2.0 inches for common varieties. High frequency mowing required due to fast growth. High maintenance; needs 2-4 lbs of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually.
Special Characteristics
Superior wear and traffic tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent drought recovery; can be invasive in flower beds due to rhizomes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock and wildlife; excellent for soil erosion control on slopes; can be an invasive weed in non-turf environments.