Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybrid or common variety based on visible stolon length and coarse texture)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; goes dormant and turns tan/brown when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
A dense, low-growing grass with a gray-green color. When mowed, it forms a tough, durable turf. When unmowed, it can reach 6-12 inches. Seed heads are distinctive bird-foot shapes with 3 to 7 spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or folded, and sharply pointed at the tip. Gray-green color with a folded vernation. Features a fringe of short hairs for a ligule and no auricles. The collar is narrow and hairy at the edges.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes. High thatch-forming tendency but excellent drought tolerance and fast recovery from wear.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa; now naturalized worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and transition zone climates
Growth Habit
Aggressively spreading via both Rhizomes (underground) and Stolons (above ground); mat-forming
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires 6-8+ hours); high drought tolerance; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0; requires deep, infrequent watering once established.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5-1.5 inches for common varieties; frequent mowing needed; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft yearly; requires periodic dethatching; High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional wear tolerance, high salt tolerance, very poor shade tolerance, highly invasive in garden beds, and excellent ability to crowd out most weeds.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America; provides soil stabilization for erosion control; serves as forage for livestock; can be an invasive weed in non-turf areas or native landscapes.