Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4 metabolism
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and occasionally considered an Invasive Weed in garden beds
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybridized or feral variety based on leaf length and legginess)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A low-growing, mat-forming grass with a medium-to-fine texture. It turns straw-colored during winter dormancy and features digitated (finger-like) seed heads with 3-7 spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), grey-green to dark green, with a pointed tip. Vernation is folded, the ligule is a fringe of white hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes; forms a thick thatch layer and provides excellent drought resistance and recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones globally
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive growth via both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very drought tolerant once established; prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintenance height of 0.5 to 2 inches; high frequency during peak summer; requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance, high salt tolerance, poor shade tolerance, and superior ability to crowd out weeds through dense stoloniferous growth.
Ecological Information
Introduced in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in ornamental landscapes; supports various insect larvae but has low wildlife forage value.