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 (likely, based on the coarse texture and visible stolon internodes)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance, but enters dormancy when temperatures consistently drop below 50-60°F.
About This Grass
Prostrate, mat-forming perennial with a medium to coarse texture. It features distinct above-ground runners (stolons) with visible nodes and short, branching leaves. Turns straw-brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Gray-green to dark green color, folded vernation, and a fringe of hairs for a ligule. No auricles present.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above-ground). Extremely high thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment and high drought recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the Southern United States and Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive spreading habit forming a dense, low-growing mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; high drought tolerance. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0 to 2.0 inches for common varieties; requires frequent mowing. High fertilization needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year). Regular dethatching and aeration are necessary due to high stolon/rhizome activity.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery speed; high salt tolerance; excellent at crowding out weeds when properly maintained. Used extensively for golf fairways and athletic fields.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides excellent soil stabilization; can be considered invasive or a weed in flower beds due to aggressive creeping rhizomes.