Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid, common variety due to leaf texture and visible density)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry perennial grass that forms a dense sod. It has a medium to dark green color, turning straw-colored during winter dormancy. It features high density and a medium-to-coarse texture when maintained.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 2-4mm; flat or slightly V-shaped; sharply pointed tips; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent; vernation is folded.
Root System
Extensive and deep (up to 6 feet in some soils); combination of stolons and deep rhizomes; moderate-to-high thatch tendency; very fast establishment speed; excellent drought recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and Rhizomatous; aggressive spreading habit forming a dense, resilient mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; requires regular deep watering during peak growth.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches; high frequency (1-2 times per week); high nitrogen needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; excellent erosion control; can be invasive in garden beds due to rhizomes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides forage for livestock but can be an invasive weed in native habitats; excellent for stabilizing disturbed soils.