Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass. Commonly used in transition zones when overseeded or managed appropriately.
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10. Excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F and can suffer winter kill below 0°F).
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Variety / Cultivar
'Tifway 419' (hybrid Bermuda), characterized by fine texture, dark green color, and dense turf formation.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, carpet-like turf with a fine to medium texture. Reaches 2 to 6 inches if unmowed, but maintained low at 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Color is vibrant green during active growth in summer, turning brown and going dormant with the first heavy frost. Produces digitate seed heads with 3 to 7 spike-like branches.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are fine-to-medium (2-3 mm wide), flat or slightly folded, with pointed tips. Color ranges from light to dark green, sometimes grayish-green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs, and auricles are absent. The collar region is continuous with a narrow band.
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system that can reach several feet into the soil profile. Moderate-to-high thatch-forming tendency under high fertility and moisture. Rapid establishment speed from sod or plugs, exceptional wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World; widely naturalized and cultivated globally in warm climates.
Growth Habit
Aggressive combination of both stoloniferous (above ground) and rhizomatous (below ground) spreading, forming a very dense, tight sod.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 8 hours of direct sunlight daily). Moderate to high drought tolerance through entering dormancy during extreme dry spells. Prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches, requiring frequent mowing (2 times per week during peak growth). High maintenance level requiring 4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually, regular dethatching, and core aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance making it ideal for sports fields and golf courses. High drought and salt tolerance, aggressive weed crowding ability, excellent erosion control, and rapid self-repair capabilities.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides limited wildlife habitat compared to native prairie grasses, but offers exceptional soil stabilization, dust suppression, and water filtration due to its dense root mat and rapid ground cover.