Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Chloridoideae, Tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F and can suffer winter kill in Zone 6 and above).
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry, dark green to gray-green grass that forms a thick mat. It enters a tan/brown dormancy in winter. Seed heads are conspicuous 'bird-foot' shaped spikes (3-7 finger-like spikes) on a long stem.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Vernation is folded. Color ranges from gray-green to dark green. Ligule is a ring of short white hairs; auricles are absent. The leaf blade is often hairy near the base.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system; can reach depths of over 6 feet in well-drained soils. Rapid establishment via stolons/rhizomes; high thatch-forming tendency; excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
African origin; highly adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide (USDA Zones 7-11)
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both Rhizomatous (underground) and Stoloniferous (above ground) spreading habits; forms a very dense sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours daily); poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; highly drought resistant but stays green longer with regular irrigation. Prefers pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height: 1.0 - 2.5 inches; weekly frequency. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually during the growing season. High maintenance level due to rapid growth and dethatching needs.
Special Characteristics
Highest traffic/wear tolerance of any turfgrass; excellent salt tolerance; rapid recovery from damage; effectively crowds out weeds when healthy; invasive in garden beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; serves as forage for livestock; can be highly invasive in non-turf areas or native ecosystems due to aggressive runners.