Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4, transition zone tolerant
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (inferred from coarse texture and sparser patches visible in the backyard setting)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; high heat tolerance; poor shade tolerance; enters dormancy when soil temps drop below 55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry grass that forms a dense, resilient mat. It turns straw-brown during winter dormancy. In unmowed states, it can reach 6-12 inches, featuring a distinct 'bird-foot' shaped seed head.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), grey-green to dark green color, flat or V-shaped blades with a pointed tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (up to 6 feet in sandy soil) with extensive rhizomes. Heavy thatch tendency; fast establishment; exceptional drought tolerance and wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both rhizomatous (underground) and stoloniferous (above-ground) spreading
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; needs supplemental water only during prolonged dry spells.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5-1.5 inches; frequent mowing required; high nitrogen needs (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually); requires periodic vertical mowing (dethatching).
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance; highly salt-tolerant; extremely aggressive against weeds; rapid recovery from damage; susceptible to 'Large Patch' and 'Spring Dead Spot'.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in Americas; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; can be invasive in garden beds; rarely provides significant wildlife forage but offers ground cover for insects.
Notes
Backyard