Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Golf Course, Pasture, and Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (seeded variety, likely naturalized)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance, entering dormancy below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry, dark green grass that forms a thick sod. It is characterized by its distinctive finger-like (digital) seed heads consisting of 3-7 spikes radiating from a single point. It turns straw-brown in winter when dormant.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Gray-green to dark green color. Folded vernation; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent. Visible hairs often present at the leaf base.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. High thatch tendency; very fast establishment speed. Excellent wear recovery due to spreading stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the southern United States and transition zones.
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both Rhizomatous (underground) and Stoloniferous (above ground). Forms a dense, low-growing mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs; excellent drought tolerance via dormancy mechanism. Prefers well-drained soil, pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5-1.5 inches for turf; requires frequent mowing. High fertilization needs (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/yr). Requires frequent dethatching and aeration. High maintenance level for high-quality turf.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent heat and drought resistance. Susceptible to Large Patch and Spring Dead Spot diseases. Highly effective at crowding out most weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced in the Americas. High soil stabilization and erosion control value. Considered an invasive weed in gardens and ornamental beds due to aggressive spreading. Provides limited wildlife cover compared to bunchgrasses.