Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass, highly suitable for the transition zone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, excellent heat tolerance, poor shade tolerance, goes completely dormant and turns brown during freezing winter temperatures
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (wild-type/unimproved variety), recognized by its lighter green color and coarser texture compared to hybrid varieties
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with grayish-green to medium-green leaves. Can grow 6 to 12 inches tall if left unmowed, but maintained much lower. Distinctive finger-like (digitate) seed heads arranged in spikes at the top of the stems.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine blades (2-3 mm wide), flat or slightly folded, with pointed tips. Folded vernation in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, auricles absent, collar is continuous and sparsely hairy
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 6 feet in optimal conditions), moderate to high drought tolerance due to depth, rapid establishment from seed, stolons, and rhizomes, moderate thatch tendency
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, now naturalized worldwide in warm climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight), high drought tolerance (enters dormancy during severe drought), prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches for turf, requires frequent mowing during peak growing season, high nitrogen needs (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), high maintenance level overall
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recovery capacity, good salt tolerance, highly invasive in flower beds, excellent for sports fields and high-traffic lawns
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, highly effective for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes, provides minimal wildlife food but offers dense cover, can become a persistent weed in non-turf areas