Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid variety based on leaf width and medium density)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns brown when soil temps drop below 50-55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, mat-forming perennial grass. The color is medium to dark green during the growing season, turning light tan to brown during winter dormancy. It has a fine-to-medium texture and is highly resilient to traffic.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium (approx. 2-3mm); flat or sometimes slightly V-shaped; acutely pointed tips; color is a consistent vibrant green; vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a ring of white hairs; auricles are absent; collar is narrow and continuous with long hairs at the edges.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with both rhizomes and stolons; very fast establishment speed; extremely high drought tolerance and rapid wear recovery; develops moderate thatch.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates worldwide
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and Rhizomatous; highly aggressive, forming a very dense mat-like sod
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8+ hours); very low shade tolerance; low to moderate water needs once established; thrives in a wide range of soil pH (5.5-7.5) and types.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 1 to 2 inches; high frequency required during peak summer; fertilization 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year; requires occasional dethatching and aeration; High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent drought recovery; high ability to crowd out weeds; prone to diseases like Large Patch or Spring Dead Spot in wet, cool conditions.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; excellent for soil erosion control due to aggressive runners; provides minimal wildlife food but offers dense cover; can be invasive in garden beds or unintended areas.