Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, and Invasive Weed
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid, common variety due to coarse texture)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance; enters dormant straw-colored state below 50°F.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing grass with a wiry texture. Gray-green to dark green color. Highly aggressive with thick stolons visible in the image. Dormant and brown in winter.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse width (2-4mm); flat or slightly folded; pointed tips; gray-green color; vernation is folded; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous roots with aggressive underground rhizomes. High thatch tendency. Fast establishment and excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and Asia; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; aggressive, mat-forming spreader with rapid lateral growth
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance; requires moderate watering for greenness; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.0-2.0 inches; high frequency; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance including frequent dethatching and aeration.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance; good salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; excellent drought recovery; high invasive potential in flower beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock; excellent for soil stabilization; can be highly invasive in native ecosystems.