Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid common type based on the coarse texture and visible seed heads)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance; moderate cold tolerance (goes dormant in winter). Survives well in the Southern US and Transition Zone.
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense, mat-forming perennial. It has a grey-green to dark green color, fine to coarse texture depending on the variety, and produces bird-foot shaped seed heads on stalks 1-4 inches high. It turns straw-colored and goes dormant after the first frost.
Blade Characteristics
Medium to coarse blades (2-4mm), flat or folded, with sharply pointed tips. Color is a dull grey-green to medium green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule consists of a conspicuous fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent; collar is narrow and hairy at the edges.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. High thatch-forming tendency. Fast establishment and excellent recovery from wear or drought due to underground energy stores.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa; widely adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates globally
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive; both Rhizomatous (underground) and Stoloniferous (above ground stolons visible in image)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate water needs once established; highly drought-tolerant but thrives with deep, infrequent watering. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 1.0 to 2.5 inches for common varieties. High frequency (weekly). Fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year during summer. High maintenance; requires frequent dethatching/verticutting and aeration.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance. Excellent salt and drought tolerance. High ability to crowd out weeds when healthy. Highly invasive in flower beds. Recovers quickly from damage via stolon growth.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization for erosion control. Low wildlife food value but provides cover. Can be invasive in native ecosystems and difficult to eradicate once established due to deep rhizomes.