Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10; excellent heat and drought tolerance; susceptible to winter kill in northern zones below zone 6 unless a cold-hardy cultivar is used; enters winter dormancy below 50 degrees Fahrenheit
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild-type / pasture type)
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf mat of medium-fine texture with a grayish-green to medium green color during the growing season; goes completely dormant and turns tan-brown during winter frost; seed heads consist of 3 to 7 digitate spikes
Blade Characteristics
Medium-fine blades (2-3mm width), flat or folded, with pointed tips and prominent veins; vernation is folded in the bud; collar is continuous with a fringe of hairs representing the ligule; auricles are absent
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending several feet into the soil; moderate to high thatch tendency under high nitrogen; rapid establishment from seed or vegetative plugs; excellent drought tolerance and fast wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; widely naturalized and cultivated in southern regions and the transition zone
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground); forms a very dense, tight turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (poor shade tolerance, needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight); moderate water needs with high drought tolerance (enters dormancy during severe drought); prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height range from 0.75 to 1.5 inches for lawns (lower on golf greens); requires frequent mowing during peak summer growth; high nitrogen requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually for high-maintenance turf); regular dethatching and aeration needed; high maintenance level
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance with rapid recuperative ability; good salt tolerance; high drought tolerance through dormancy; poor shade tolerance; susceptible to dollar spot, large patch, and spring dead spot; excellent for sports fields and home lawns
Ecological Information
Introduced to North America; provides good erosion control on slopes and sandy soils due to dense root and stolon network; can become an invasive weed in agricultural fields and garden beds; low wildlife food value compared to native grasses