Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid variety due to slightly wider blades and visible stolon internodes)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; high heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F); turns straw-colored in winter.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing mat-former. Gray-green to dark green color. Fine to medium texture. Dormant and brown in winter. Unmowed stems reach 4-15 inches; seed heads are 3-7 finger-like spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 2-4mm (medium); flat or folded; pointed tips; gray-green color; folded vernation; ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles absent; prominent midvein.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous roots (up to 6 feet); heavy thatch producer; very fast establishment and aggressive spread; excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both Rhizomatous (underground) and Stoloniferous (above ground bits visible in image)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; low shade tolerance.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0 - 2.0 inches for common varieties; high frequency (weekly); 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance due to growth rate.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic tolerance; salt tolerant; high drought recovery; highly invasive in garden beds; rapid recovery from injury.
Ecological Information
Introduced/invasive in many regions; excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control; low wildlife food value but provides cover.