Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda or hybrid varieties like 'Tifway'
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, excellent heat tolerance, enters winter dormancy with frost.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, fine-to-medium textured, low-growing turf of blue-green to dark green color. Highly aggressive and forms a tight mat.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are short, 2-4 mm wide, flat, pointed tips, folded in the bud with a membranous ligule and hairs.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system with extensive stolons and rhizomes, moderate to high thatch tendency, rapid establishment.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressive, spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (poor shade tolerance), moderate water needs with high drought tolerance via dormancy.
Mowing & Maintenance
Low to medium mowing height (0.5 to 1.5 inches), high maintenance, frequent mowing and heavy fertilization needed.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance, rapid recovery from damage, good salt tolerance, prone to spring dead spot disease as visible in the image.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America, provides good erosion control, high wildlife value for grazing, can become invasive in flower beds.