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-hardy varieties surviving into zone 6. Excellent heat tolerance and rapid summer growth, but goes completely dormant and turns brown at first frost.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
'Tifway 419' (Hybrid Bermuda, notable for fine texture and dark green color)
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with fine to medium texture. Vibrant medium to dark green color during the growing season, turning straw-colored tan during winter dormancy. Height when unmowed reaches 4-12 inches, but typically maintained low (0.5-1.5 inches). Produces digitate seed heads with 3-7 spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat blades with pointed tips, gray-green to light green color. Folded in the bud (vernation). Has a hairy ligule instead of a membranous one, and no auricles. Distinctive smooth leaf sheaths.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system combined with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Moderate to high thatch-forming tendency under high nitrogen and water. Fast establishment from sod or plugs; excellent wear recovery.
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 rhizomes and stolons, forming a very dense, tight turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight). High drought tolerance once established, entering dormancy during prolonged dry spells. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow frequently at 0.5 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. High maintenance level requiring regular fertilization (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), frequent dethatching, and core aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear recovery due to aggressive stoloniferous growth. Good salt tolerance and moderate drought recovery. Prone to various fungal diseases under excess moisture and shade. Poor shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes due to dense root/stolon network. Can act as an aggressive weed in flower beds and gardens due to invasive runner tendencies.