Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, with some cold-tolerant varieties surviving in the southern transition zone (Zone 6). Excellent heat tolerance; enters winter dormancy below 50°F.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (or improved turf cultivars like 'Tifway 419')
About This Grass
Forms a very dense, fine to medium-textured carpet of blue-green to grayish-green grass. Height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches when maintained. Goes completely dormant and turns brown with the first heavy frost.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat, tapering to a pointed tip. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Collar is continuous with small hairs.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending up to 6 feet or more in favorable soils, combined with extensive rhizomes and stolons providing rapid wear recovery and high drought 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
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, tight turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight). Moderate water needs once established with excellent drought tolerance, entering dormancy during prolonged dry spells. Prefers well-draining soils with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow low at 0.5 to 1.5 inches frequently using sharp rotary or reel mowers. High fertility needs (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year during peak season). High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability, good salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery, poor shade tolerance, and aggressive weed-crowding ability.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides erosion control on slopes and banks. Can act as an invasive weed in flower beds and agricultural fields due to aggressive stolon and rhizome spread.