Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4 metabolism
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid, common variety due to leaf texture and visible runners)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance; enters winter dormancy and turns tan/brown when temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense, and gray-green colored grass that forms a thick mat. It has a coarse to medium texture and produces spike-like seed heads in a finger-like (digital) arrangement.
Blade Characteristics
Width 2-4mm; flat or V-shaped; sharply pointed tips; gray-green to dark green; folded vernation; ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous system; includes deep rhizomes; high thatch tendency; fast establishment; excellent drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both rhizomatous (underground) and stoloniferous (above ground runners)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very low shade tolerance; high drought tolerance but thrives with regular deep watering; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Height 0.5-2.0 inches; high frequency required; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per year; high maintenance due to rapid growth and dethatching needs.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic tolerance; high salt tolerance; capable of out-competing most weeds; rapid recovery from injury; poor shade tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in gardens and non-target areas.