Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10, highly heat tolerant, enters dormancy below 50°F
About This Grass
Forms a very dense, fine-to-medium textured turf with a vibrant green color during active growth; turns straw-colored brown during winter dormancy.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width blades, grayish-green to medium green, folded in the bud with a hairy ligule and absent auricles
Root System
Deep, aggressive fibrous root system with extensive stolons and rhizomes, excellent drought tolerance and fast wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and tropical/subtropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressively stoloniferous and rhizomatous, forms a dense, tight turf mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun required (poor shade tolerance), moderate water needs with high drought tolerance once established
Mowing & Maintenance
Low to medium mowing height (0.5 to 1.5 inches), requires frequent mowing during peak growing season and high maintenance for pristine lawns
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance, rapid recuperative ability, good salt tolerance, excellent for athletic fields and home lawns
Ecological Information
Introduced species in many regions, valuable for soil stabilization and erosion control, can exhibit invasive tendencies in agricultural settings