Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermudagrass (or improved turf varieties like 'Tifway')
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor shade tolerance, and enters winter dormancy when temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
Forms a tight, dense turf with a medium-fine texture and a blue-green to gray-green color. When unmaintained, it can grow up to 4-12 inches tall with upright seed heads, but is typically maintained at a low height. Goes dormant and turns straw-brown in winter.
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine blades (2-3 mm wide), flat or folded, with pointed tips. Rolled in the bud (vernation). Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Distinct hairy collar region.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 6 feet or more in favorable soils), combined with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Fast establishment from seed or vegetative plugs, highly drought resistant once established, and prone to moderate thatch build-up.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in warm regions globally
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, durable turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight). Low to moderate water needs once established, exceptionally high drought tolerance by entering dormancy during dry spells. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches (reel mower preferred for lower heights). High mowing frequency during peak growing season. Fertilization needs are moderate to high (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Requires periodic dethatching and aeration. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability from damage. Good salt tolerance. Poor shade tolerance. Aggressive growth habit helps it crowd out weeds and makes it an effective erosion control grass.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control due to its extensive root and runner system. Can become an invasive weed in agricultural fields and flower beds due to its aggressive spreading nature.