Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon · Warm-season perennial, C4, transition zone suitable
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 common or seeded variety based on coarser texture and visible stolon branching)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 7-10; excellent heat tolerance; enters dormancy below 50°F (10°C); moderate to poor cold tolerance depending on cultivar
About This Grass
A low-growing, dense, and fine-to-medium textured grass. It is typically a medium to dark green during the growing season and turns brown/dormant in winter. It produces bird's-foot-shaped seed heads with 3-7 spikes.
Blade Characteristics
Fine to medium width (2-4mm), flat or slightly folded, pointed tips; vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is a fringe of white hairs; auricles are absent; color is vibrant medium green.
Root System
Deep and extensive fibrous root system with aggressive rhizomes; forms heavy thatch; very fast establishment and excellent wear recovery
Growing Information
Origin Region
Africa and Southern Europe; well-adapted to tropical, subtropical, and transition zones worldwide
Growth Habit
Highly aggressive, both Rhizomatous (underground stems) and Stoloniferous (above ground runners), forms a dense mat
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (requires at least 6-8 hours); high drought tolerance due to deep roots; prefers well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0
Mowing & Maintenance
Mowing height 0.5-2.0 inches; high frequency; requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance level (requires frequent edging and dethatching)
Special Characteristics
Exceptional traffic and wear tolerance; high salt tolerance; poor shade tolerance; rapid recovery from injury; highly invasive in garden beds
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in many regions; excellent for soil stabilization and erosion control; low wildlife food value but provides cover for small insects; can be invasive in non-turf areas