Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass, highly adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (unimproved wild type) or fine-textured sports cultivars like 'Tifway 419'
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with some cold-hardy varieties surviving into Zone 6. Excellent heat tolerance. Goes completely dormant and turns brown when temperatures drop below 50°F.
About This Grass
Forms a dense, low-growing turf with grayish-green to medium-green leaves. Grows vigorously during hot summer months and goes dormant (turning straw-brown) with the first heavy frost. Unmowed height can reach 4-15 inches, but maintained turf is kept under 1.5 inches. Seed heads consist of 3-7 digitate spikes branching from a single point.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium-width (2-4mm), flat, tapering to a pointed tip. Color is typically grey-green or light green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of hairs. Auricles are absent. Distinct collar region with hairs.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending up to 6 feet or more in favorable soils, conferring excellent drought tolerance. Spreads rapidly via robust stolons and rhizomes, creating a dense sod that tends to develop thatch quickly if not managed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide; naturalized globally in warm climates
Growth Habit
Aggressive combination of both stolons (above ground) and rhizomes (below ground), forming a very dense, tight mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight; poor shade tolerance). High drought tolerance once established, going into dormancy during severe drought and greening up rapidly with water. Prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintained at 0.75 to 1.5 inches for lawns (lower for golf courses). Requires frequent mowing (2 times per week during peak growth). High fertilizer requirement (4-6 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year during growing season). High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear and traffic tolerance with rapid recuperative ability due to aggressive spreading. Good salt tolerance. Excellent for sports fields, golf courses, and southern lawns. Poor shade and cold tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced in many parts of the world outside its native range. Can act as an invasive weed in agricultural fields and flower beds due to aggressive underground rhizomes. Provides soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes.