Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance below freezing (enters winter dormancy and turns brown).
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved naturalized type)
About This Grass
Forms a tight, dense turf of medium texture with a bright to dark green color during the growing season. Turns straw-colored/tan when dormant in winter. Height ranges from 0.5 to 2 inches when maintained; can reach 6 to 12 inches if unmowed, producing characteristic finger-like seed heads (digitate spikes).
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine to medium in width (2-3mm), flat, with pointed tips and a grayish-green to medium-green color. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Ligule is a fringe of hairs, auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil, coupled with a dense network of rhizomes and stolons. Rapid establishment, low thatch unless over-fertilized, excellent drought recovery and wear tolerance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in warm-temperate and tropical climates globally.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both rhizomes and stolons, forming a dense, durable turf mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight; poor shade tolerance). Moderate to high drought tolerance, entering dormancy during prolonged dry spells. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches using a reel or sharp rotary mower. Requires frequent mowing during peak growth. High fertilization needs for optimal color and density (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability via stolons and rhizomes. Good salt tolerance. Poor shade and cold tolerance. Excellent for home lawns, golf course fairways/tees, and sports fields.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its extensive root and stolon network. Can act as an aggressive weed in flower beds and cool-season turf areas.