Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass; highly adaptable in the transition zone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance, poor winter cold tolerance with dormancy occurring below 50°F; widely used across the southern US and transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
'Tifway 419' (Hybrid Bermuda) - known for dense, fine-textured dark green turf
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing carpet of fine to medium texture; turns completely straw-colored (dormant) during winter frosts and actively greens up in late spring; height ranges from 0.5 to 2 inches when maintained, taller if unmowed, featuring digitate spike seed heads
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-3mm), flat shape, pointed tips, grayish-green to medium green color, rolled in the bud (vernation), short membranous ligule with a fringe of hairs, small or absent auricles
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil with vigorous rhizomes and stolons; moderate to high thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment and exceptional wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World; widely naturalized and cultivated globally in warm climates
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and rhizomatous, spreading aggressively both above and below ground to form a dense mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight); moderate watering needs once established with high drought tolerance by entering dormancy; prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height between 0.75 to 1.5 inches; high mowing frequency (1-2 times per week during peak growth); high fertilization requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year); requires regular dethatching and aeration; high overall maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance making it ideal for sports fields; good drought recovery; high salt tolerance; aggressive growth habit allows it to crowd out weeds effectively
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; provides low wildlife habitat value due to manicured turf usage; excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes; often managed with herbicides to prevent spread into flower beds