Common Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (likely unselected or seeded variety)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. High heat and humidity tolerance; poor cold tolerance, entering dormancy when temperatures drop below 50-60°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry grass that forms a tough sod. It is generally medium to light green in color, turning straw-colored during winter dormancy. It produces distinctive 'bird-foot' seed heads with 3-7 finger-like spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium (2-4mm), flat or slightly V-shaped, tapering to a pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. The ligule is a short fringe of white hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar is narrow and often has long hairs on the margins.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. It has a high thatch-forming tendency and establishes very quickly, offering excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and Southern Europe; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide.
Growth Habit
Highly invasive, spreading via both aggressive stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (underground), forming a dense, low-growing mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; highly drought-tolerant but goes dormant under extreme moisture stress.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 1.0 to 2.5 inches. Requires frequent mowing due to rapid growth. Needs 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. High maintenance for turf quality; requires regular dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and traffic recovery. High salt tolerance. Can be a difficult-to-control weed in flower beds due to aggressive rhizomes. High disease resistance but susceptible to Spring Dead Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control. Can be invasive in non-managed areas, crowding out native species. Often mixed with Ryegrass for winter color (overseeding).