Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4 metabolism
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, and occasionally Invasive/Weed Grass in garden beds
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (demonstrated by the coarse texture and long stolon internodes in the image)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7–10. Excellent heat tolerance; undergoes dormancy/browning below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, mat-forming wire grass with a grey-green color. It becomes dormant and brown in winter. The seed heads are small, star-shaped, and usually have 3-7 finger-like spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or folded, with a sharp-pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. High thatch tendency and fast establishment through runners.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa, now well-adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the southern United States
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive, both rhizomatous (underground) and stoloniferous (above-ground stolons clearly visible in image)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun is required (poor shade tolerance). Excellent drought tolerance once established, though it requires regular water to stay green during heat.
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance for turf; mowing height 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Requires frequent mowing and high nitrogen fertilization (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year).
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, high salt tolerance, and high recovery speed due to aggressive stolons. Very difficult to eradicate from garden beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization but can be invasive, often outcompeting native vegetation in disturbed soils.