Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with some cold-hardy varieties surviving in zone 6. Excellent heat tolerance and good transition zone adaptability.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common or hybrid varieties like 'Tifway 419'
About This Grass
Forms a very dense, low-growing turf with gray-green to medium-green leaves. It spreads rapidly to cover bare spots, and turns straw-colored and dormant during winter frosts.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine blades (2-3mm wide), flat to folded shape, pointed tips, gray-green color, rolled in the bud (vernation). Features a fringe of hairs for a ligule and lacks auricles.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system with extensive rhizomes and stolons. High thatch-forming tendency under high nitrogen and water, moderate to fast establishment speed, excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in southern regions and the transition zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight). Moderate to high drought tolerance by going dormant during dry spells; requires moderate watering for active green growth. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. High maintenance level during active growing season requiring frequent mowing, regular fertilization (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year), and periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, good salt tolerance, excellent drought recovery, aggressive weed-crowding ability, and widely used for athletic fields, golf courses, and home lawns.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides low wildlife food value but excellent soil stabilization and erosion control due to its extensive mat-forming root and runner system. Can be considered invasive in agricultural or native prairie settings.