Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10; excellent heat tolerance; enters winter dormancy when temperatures consistently fall below 50°F
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (or improved hybrid turfs like 'Tifway')
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured, low-growing turf with a grayish-green to medium green color; goes dormant and turns straw-brown in winter when temperatures drop; seed heads feature a cluster of 3 to 7 slender spikes
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat blades with pointed tips, folded in the bud (vernation), grayish-green color, prominent ligule consisting of a fringe of hairs, absent auricles
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system with extensive underground rhizomes and surface stolons; moderate to high thatch tendency; establishes quickly from seed, plugs, or sod; excellent drought survival and wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in warm-temperate and tropical zones
Growth Habit
Aggressive, spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a very dense, tight turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight); high drought tolerance by going into dormancy during severe dry spells; prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Low mowing height (0.5 to 1.5 inches); frequent mowing required during peak growing season; moderate to high fertilizer needs (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year); requires regular dethatching and aeration; high maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance making it ideal for sports fields and high-use areas; good salt tolerance; rapid recuperative ability from damage; poor shade tolerance
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; highly effective for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes; provides minimal wildlife food value compared to native grasses; can become invasive in flower beds due to aggressive spreading stolons and rhizomes