Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (suggested by the coarser texture and visible stolons compared to hybrid varieties like 'Tifway')
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11. Excellent heat tolerance; moderate cold tolerance (goes dormant/brown below 50°F).
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry perennial grass. It has a grey-green to deep green color and turns straw-brown during winter dormancy. It is characterized by its rapid spreading via creeping stems and its distinctive 'finger-like' seed heads at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded with a pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. The ligule is a fringe of short white hairs; auricles are absent. Leaves often feature sparse hairs, especially at the leaf base/collar area.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with sharp-tipped rhizomes. High thatch-forming tendency; extremely fast establishment and exceptional wear recovery due to its lateral growth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates globally
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both Rhizomatous (underground) and Stoloniferous (above ground runners), forming a dense, mat-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; high drought tolerance through dormancy mechanisms. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
0.5 to 1.5 inches for hybrid, 1.0 to 2.5 inches for common varieties. High frequency (1-2 times per week). Requires high nitrogen fertilization (2-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year) and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance. High salt tolerance. Recovers quickly from damage. Highly invasive in flower beds or non-target areas. Moderate resistance to most diseases but susceptible to Spring Dead Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization for erosion control but can be a highly invasive weed in native ecosystems. Low wildlife food value but provides cover for small insects and reptiles.