Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (demonstrated by medium-coarse texture and visible seed-stalk presence)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; enters dormancy when soil temperatures drop below 50°F; susceptible to winter kill in northern climates.
About This Grass
A low-growing, grey-green to dark green grass that forms a thick, resilient carpet. It turns tan/brown during winter dormancy. Note the characteristic 'finger-like' spiked seed heads (spikes) produced on tall stalks when left unmowed.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule consists of a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent. Distinctive tufts of hair are often visible at the collar region.
Root System
Deep and extensive root system with both underground rhizomes and surface stolons. High thatch-forming tendency but exceptionally fast establishment and recovery from wear.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressively rhizomatous and stoloniferous; forms a dense, mat-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8 hours minimum); high drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.0–2.0 inches for common varieties; high frequency mowing required during peak summer; fertilization 2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year; high maintenance requirement for optimal appearance.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; rapid recovery from drought; highly competitive against most weeds once established.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in garden beds; often found with White Clover (Trifolium repens) as seen in the image.