Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control, Pasture
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermudagrass (standard type, not a fine-textured hybrid like Tifway)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance. Goes dormant and turns tan/brown when temperatures drop below 50°F. High cold-hardiness for a warm-season grass in the transition zone.
About This Grass
Low-growing, dense turf with a wiry appearance. Maintaned height is usually 1-2 inches but can grow taller. Displays light to medium green color, turning brown (dormant) in winter. Seed heads are distinctive finger-like spikes arranged in a star pattern (digitate).
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly V-shaped, tapering to a sharp point. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent. Long hairs are often visible at the leaf base/collar region.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with thick rhizomes. Excellent sod-forming ability, high thatch tendency, and rapid establishment. Extremely resilient due to its dual-spreading mechanism.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the Southern United States and Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both Rhizomatous (underground) and Stoloniferous (above ground) spreading. Forms a dense, thick mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8 hours minimum); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established. High drought tolerance; enters dormancy to survive extreme dry periods. Prefers well-drained soil, pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 1.0-2.0 inches. High frequency mowing (1-2 times weekly) during peak summer. Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year. High maintenance: requires frequent dethatching and core aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance and recovery speed. High salt tolerance. Resistant to many common pests but susceptible to Large Patch (Rhizoctonia). Excellent for high-traffic sports fields and erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in the US. Can be highly invasive in flower beds or adjacent cool-season lawns. Provides cover for small wildlife but low nutritional value for most birds. Excellent for soil stabilization and carbon sequestration in warm climates.