Common Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture/Forage, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (likely naturalized or common phenotype)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; enters winter dormancy (turns brown) when soil temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, mat-forming grass that is light to dark green. In this image, it appears as patchy, resilient clumps surviving in compacted, high-traffic soil. When unmowed, it produces finger-like (digitate) seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a pointed tip. Gray-green to dark green color. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system capable of reaching 6+ feet. Highly rhizomatous, forming a dense sod. Forms significant thatch and establishes very rapidly via stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
African origin; now well-adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones globally
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive with both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8+ hours); very low shade tolerance. High drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
0.5 to 2.5 inches height. Requires frequent mowing and high fertilization (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year) for turf quality; low maintenance in pasture settings.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery; high salt tolerance; excellent for erosion control; highly invasive in garden beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization but can become a weed; provides incidental forage for livestock and seeds for small birds.