Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Pasture, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (based on slightly coarser texture and leaf arrangement visible)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. High heat tolerance; goes dormant (turns brown) when soil temperatures drop below 50-55°F, as seen in the center of the provided image.
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense sod-forming grass. In the image, healthy sections are a deep green with fine-to-medium texture, while the center exhibits winter dormancy or stress-induced straw-colored browning. Unmowed height reaches 6-12 inches; maintained turf is typically 0.5-2 inches.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Gray-green to dark green color. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent; collar is narrow and continuous with long hairs on the edges.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system with both underground rhizomes and surface stolons. Forms heavy thatch; known for exceptional drought tolerance and rapid recovery from wear via its vegetative spread.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates globally
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous and Rhizomatous; highly aggressive spread forming a dense, durable mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8+ hours), poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; highly drought-tolerant by entering dormancy. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height: 0.5-1.5 inches. High maintenance: frequent mowing (1-2 times per week), high nitrogen needs (3-5 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually), and periodic vertical mowing/dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance, high salt tolerance, rapid recovery rate. Susceptible to Large Patch (Rhizoctonia) and Spring Dead Spot. Extremely difficult to eradicate once established in garden beds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization for erosion control but is considered invasive in many non-turf settings. Limited wildlife value specifically for turf varieties; can outcompute native species.