Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (implied by texture and growth pattern)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown below 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit; moderate cold tolerance.
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing turf with a medium to fine texture. It is grayish-green in color, turning straw-colored during winter dormancy. It features spiked seed heads arranged in a finger-like pattern (racemes).
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, pointed tip, grayish-green color; vernation is folded; ligule is a fringe of short hairs; auricles are absent; collar is narrow with long hairs at the edges.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous system combined with aggressive rhizomes and stolons; high thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment; excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive with a dense, mat-forming habit
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (6-8+ hours); high drought tolerance once established; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; requires moderate watering during active growth.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches; high frequency mowing (1-2 times weekly); high fertilization needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); high maintenance level overall.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; rapid recovery from injury; highly effective at crowding out weeds when healthy.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in gardens/flower beds; commonly found in home lawns and athletic fields.