Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, Sports Turf, Golf Course, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass (appears to be a non-hybridized variety based on coarse texture and aggressive stolons)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10. Excellent heat tolerance; moderate cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F). Frequently found in the transition zone and southern US.
About This Grass
A low-growing, wiry, dark green grass that forms a thick sod. It is highly resilient and handles heavy traffic. In summer, it produces bird-foot shaped seed heads with 3-7 spikes. It turns brown and dormant at the first frost.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (1.5-4mm), flat or folded, with a sharply pointed tip. Gray-green to dark green color. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is a fringe of short white hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive; consists of a dense network of rhizomes (underground) and stolons (above ground roots that root at nodes). High thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
African origin; widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical, and transition zone regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Aggressively rhizomatous and stoloniferous; forms a dense, low-growing mat by spreading above and below ground
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); very poor shade tolerance. Low to moderate watering needs; exceptional drought tolerance but will enter dormancy to survive dry periods.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Requires frequent mowing. Fertilization needs are high (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually). Needs regular dethatching and aeration. High maintenance level.
Special Characteristics
Superior wear and traffic tolerance; high salt tolerance; rapid recovery from damage; crowds out most weeds when healthy. Susceptible to Large Patch and Spring Dead Spot.
Ecological Information
Introduced and widely naturalized; often considered invasive in ornamental beds or gardens due to aggressive spreading. Excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes.