Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (likely mixed with native ecotypes)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; enters dormant state (brown) when soil temperatures drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense turf grass that turns tan or straw-colored during winter dormancy, as seen in the image. It has a fine to medium texture and forms a thick, resilient carpet when active.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), sharply pointed tips, gray-green to dark green when active. Vernation is folded; ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both underground rhizomes and surface stolons. High thatch-forming tendency and rapid establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in the southern United States and transition zones
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive mat-forming grass
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance once established; prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
1.0–2.5 inches for common varieties; weekly frequency; 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; requires periodic dethatching; medium maintenance.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; exceptional ability to crowd out weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in garden beds; often blended with Ryegrass for winter color.