Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Sports Turf, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda (likely based on wider blade and sparser density seen in the image)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. High heat and salt tolerance. Goes dormant and turns brown when soil temperatures drop below 50-55°F.
About This Grass
A low-growing, creeping grass that creates a dense mat. It is medium-green in color, turning straw-brown during winter dormancy. Unmowed, it reaches 6-12 inches; maintained, it is very low. Seed heads are 3-7 finger-like spikes in a whorl at the tip of the stem.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are 2-4mm wide (medium coarse), flat or slightly folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Gray-green to dark green color. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent; the collar is narrow and hairy at the edges.
Root System
Deep, extensive fibrous root system with both underground rhizomes and surface stolons. High thatch tendency, very fast establishment, and excellent drought tolerance/wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa, adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, commonly used in the Southern US and Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive spreader forming a dense, resilient sod mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8+ hours), poor shade tolerance. Moderate water needs but high drought resistance. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 1.0-2.0 inches for common varieties (lower for hybrids), frequency 1-2 times weekly. High nitrogen requirement (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft/year). Periodic dethatching and aeration required. Maintenance level: Medium to High.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic/wear tolerance and recovery. Good salt tolerance and high drought resistance. Highly invasive in flower beds. Susceptible to Spring Dead Spot and Large Patch in cool/wet transitions.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides soil stabilization on slopes. Can become an invasive weed in non-turf areas. Often blended with Ryegrass for winter color (overseeding).