Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Hybrid Bermuda (consistent with Tifway 419 characteristics)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; enters dormancy below 50°F (10°C); moderate to poor cold tolerance depending on specific cultivar.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing turf with a fine to medium texture. It maintains a deep green color during active growth but turns straw-colored during winter dormancy. Features a deep root system and produces spiked digit-like seed heads (3-7 spikes) if left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width usually 1.5-3mm (fine to medium); pointed tips; light to dark green; vernation is folded; ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent; collar is narrow with long hairs on the margins.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive; consists of both lateral stolons and deep underground rhizomes; high thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment speed; provides exceptional drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; aggressive, high-density mat-forming growth
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance once established; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; requires moderate watering during dry spells to maintain green color.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches; high frequency (1-2 times per week); 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; requires regular vertical mowing/dethatching and annual aeration; high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance; excellent salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; rapid recovery from injury; effective at crowding out weeds through high density; popular for golf fairways and athletic fields.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; can be invasive in gardens or agricultural fields; provides excellent soil stabilization for erosion control; moderate wildlife value for cover; often overseeded with Perennial Ryegrass for winter color.