Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season, Perennial, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae, tribe Cynodonteae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Bermuda Grass; shows characteristics of 'Celebration' or 'Tifway 419' (fine overall texture and deep green color, though specific cultivar identification is difficult from image).
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-11; excellent heat tolerance, poor cold tolerance (goes dormant below 50°F and can suffer winter kill in Zone 6 or lower).
About This Grass
A low-growing, highly dense turf grass with a fine-to-medium texture. It displays a deep green color during active growth but turns Straw-brown during winter dormancy. Unmowed, it produces 3-7 finger-like spikes on a 6-12 inch seed head.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (1.5-3mm), flat or slightly V-shaped blades with a sharply pointed tip. Vernation is folded. Color ranges from grey-green to deep forest green. Ligule is a ring of short hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Extremely deep and extensive fibrous root system with both underground rhizomes and surface stolons. High thatch-forming tendency; rapid establishment and excellent wear recovery.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Africa and Europe; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including the Southern United States and Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous and Stoloniferous; highly aggressive, forming a dense, low-growing mat that excels at crowding out weeds.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); poor shade tolerance. Moderate water needs with very high drought tolerance due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 0.5 to 1.5 inches. High maintenance level requiring frequent mowing (1-2 times weekly) and fertilization (2-4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft per year). Requires periodic dethatching.
Special Characteristics
Highest traffic/wear tolerance of warm-season grasses. Excellent salt tolerance. High disease resistance but susceptible to Spring Dead Spot and Dollar Spot under poor management. Rapid self-repairing capability.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control on slopes. Low wildlife food value but provides cover for small insects. Can be highly invasive in garden beds or borders.