Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4 metabolism
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid, common variety based on coarse texture and open growth)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. High heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 50°F. Susceptible to winter kill in northern latitudes.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry grass that turns straw-colored during winter dormancy. In the image, it exhibits a medium-to-coarse texture with visible stolons weaving through the canopy. The color is a medium green, currently exhibiting significant brown thatch and drought stress.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are 2-4mm wide, flat, and taper to a sharp, pointed tip. Vernation is folded. The ligule is a conspicuous ring of white hairs; auricles are absent. The leaf surface is sparsely hairy near the base.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. High thatch tendency. Exceptionally fast establishment and recovery speed. Roots can reach depths of over 6 feet in ideal soils.
Growing Information
Origin Region
African origin; widely naturalized throughout the United States, particularly in the South and Transition Zones.
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive, spreading by both surface stolons and underground rhizomes. Forms a dense, mat-forming sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (minimum 6-8 hours). Very poor shade tolerance. Moderate water needs but exceptional drought tolerance; will go dormant to survive prolonged dry spells. Prefers well-drained soil, pH 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintain at 1.0 to 2.5 inches. High maintenance: requires frequent mowing (weekly), high nitrogen fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), and periodic vertical mowing to manage thatch.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery; high salt tolerance. Highly invasive in flower beds. Good disease resistance but susceptible to Spring Dead Spot and Dollar Spot in humid conditions.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized status in North America. Provides soil stabilization for erosion control. Low wildlife value for forage but provides cover for small insects. Often used as a mono-culture but sometimes over-seeded with Ryegrass for winter color.