Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Chloridoideae, Tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid variety due to coarser texture and seed head habit)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; heat tolerant; enters winter dormancy and turns brown when soil temps drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, grey-green mat-forming grass that spreads rapidly. It has a medium-to-coarse texture with visible stolons and produces 'fingered' spikelet seed heads when left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 2-4mm; flat or slightly folded; sharply pointed tips; grey-green color; folded vernation; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both rhizomes and stolons; moderate-to-high thatch tendency; very fast establishment; high wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and Europe; well-adapted to the southern United States and transition zones.
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and Rhizomatous; aggressive spreading habit forming a thick, dense mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); moderate watering needs; excellent drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0 to 2.5 inches height; frequent mowing; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance; requires periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; exceptional ability to crowd out weeds when healthy.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; considered invasive in some non-agricultural contexts; excellent for soil stabilization; provides low cover for small wildlife.