Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass; highly adapted to the transition zone.
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10 (can survive in Zone 6 with cold-hardy varieties). Excellent heat tolerance and summer activity, but goes dormant and turns brown below 50°F.
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (uncultivated wild-type or standard seeded varieties like 'Princess 77' or 'Riviera')
About This Grass
Fine to medium-textured turfgrass forming a very dense, carpet-like sward. Bright to dark green during the growing season, turning straw-colored brown upon entering winter dormancy. Unmowed height can reach 4 to 12 inches, featuring digitate seed heads with 3 to 7 slender spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are narrow (2-3 mm wide), flat, grayish-green to blue-green, with pointed tips and rough margins. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending 6 feet or more in favorable soils, combined with extensive rhizomes and stolons. Rapid establishment from seed or sod, forming a tight thatch layer if heavily fertilized.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World (Africa and Asia); widely naturalized in tropical and warm temperate regions worldwide.
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a dense, wear-resistant mat.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) and has very poor shade tolerance. Moderate to high drought tolerance due to deep roots and dormancy mechanisms; requires regular watering for optimal green appearance.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow low at 0.5 to 1.5 inches frequently (1-2 times per week during peak growth). High fertilizer requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually) for high performance. Requires regular dethatching and aeration due to rapid lateral growth.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recuperative ability via stolons and rhizomes. Good salt tolerance, drought resistance, and erosion control. Can become a persistent weed in flowerbeds due to aggressive spreading.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Moderate wildlife value for grazing animals and ground-nesting birds, though often managed intensively as a monoculture turf.