Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4 photosynthesis
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (likely based on wide blade width and open density seen in the image)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; enters dormancy (turns brown) when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
Dense, mat-forming low-growth grass. High-light green to medium green. Forms a tough, wiry sod that is highly resilient to traffic and drought.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm); flat blades with pointed tips; folded vernation; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent; conspicuous hairs at the leaf collar.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous roots for drought resistance; thick mat-forming rhizomes; rapid establishment; heavy thatch producer.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones globally
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both rhizomatous (underground) and stoloniferous (above-ground) spreading
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (minimum 6-8 hours); poor shade tolerance; drought-tolerant but thrives with 1 inch of water weekly; prefers pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintain at 1.0 to 2.5 inches; frequent mowing needed; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery; highly salt tolerant; poor shade tolerance; aggressive enough to crowd out most weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; excellent for soil erosion control; can be invasive in garden beds; often mixed with Ryegrass for winter color.