Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon). Unlike hybrid Bermudas (e.g., Tifway), it has a coarser leaf texture and lighter green color.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance; poor cold tolerance (turns tan/brown and goes dormant after the first frost).
About This Grass
A low-growing, durable turf with a wiry texture. In this image, it shows a medium-green color with a slightly open canopy. When unmowed, it produces a distinctive finger-like (digitate) seed head with 3-7 spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Width: 1.5-4mm (medium-coarse); Shape: Flat or folded; Tip: Pointed; Color: Light to medium green; Vernation: Folded; Ligule: A fringe of white hairs; Auricles: Absent; Collar: Continuous, narrow, with long hairs at the edges.
Root System
Extremely deep and fibrous (up to 6 feet); aggressive rhizomes and stolons; moderate thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment; excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Originally from Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates globally.
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both Rhizomatous (underground stems) and Stoloniferous (above-ground runners). Forms a dense, mat-like sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Moderate water needs but high drought resistance—can go dormant to survive dry periods. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 1.0-2.0 inches for common varieties; frequency: 1-2 times per week; fertilization: high (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year); Medium to high maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; excellent drought recovery; aggressive growth crowds out most weeds; susceptible to Dollar Spot and Large Patch in wet conditions.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; considered invasive in some garden and crop settings; often used in mixtures with ryegrass for winter overseeding.