Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage Grass, Erosion Control grass, and often considered a Weed in gardens
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-turf-type or 'pasture' variety based on coarse texture and opportunistic growth)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 50-55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, mat-forming perennial with a wiry, coarse texture. It turns tan/brown during winter dormancy and bright to dark green during peak heat. Seed heads are distinctive, finger-like (digitately arranged) spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-coarse (approx. 2-4mm); flat or sometimes folded; pointed tip; gray-green to dark green color; folded vernation; ligule consists of a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent; collar region is narrow with long hairs on the edges.
Root System
Deep and aggressive fibrous root system; high thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment via stolons; excellent drought tolerance and superior wear recovery due to subterranean rhizomes.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; now naturalized worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions; excels in the Southern United States and Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous (highly aggressive spreader via both underground and above-ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); low shade tolerance; moderate water needs but possesses high drought resistance through dormancy; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0 to 2.5 inches for common varieties; frequent mowing required due to rapid growth; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance level due to aggressive spread into flower beds.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent drought recovery; poor shade tolerance; highly effective for erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized (invasive in some contexts); provides low wildlife value except for some insects; excellent for rapid soil stabilization; often blended with Ryegrass for winter color in a practice known as overseeding.