Cynodon spp.

bermuda grasses

Poaceae

Africa, southern Europe, Asia, and Australia

Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Cynodon spp. is a genus of warm-season perennial grasses in the family Poaceae, comprising roughly ten species native to Africa, Asia, Australia, and southern Europe. The widespread C. dactylon, Bermuda grass, forms low, dense turf 5–30 cm (2–12 in) tall, spreading by both above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes that root at the nodes. Leaves are flat, grey-green to deep green blades 2–15 cm (0.8–6 in) long and 1.5–4 mm wide, set in two ranks. The flower head is a cluster of three to seven slender finger-like spikes 2–6 cm (0.8–2.4 in) long radiating from a single point at the stem tip. Plants flower from late spring through autumn and reproduce by seed and by vegetative fragments. Cynodon spp. grows quickest in heat and full sun, withstands close mowing, foot traffic, and drought once established, and recovers rapidly from damage. It turns straw-brown and dormant below about 10 °C (50 °F) and is injured by hard frost. The creeping habit that makes it durable turf also lets it spread into beds and adjacent ground, where it becomes a persistent weed, and several species are regulated where they invade.

Native Range

Cynodon spp. species are native to warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of Africa, southern Europe, Asia, and Australia. C. dactylon has naturalised so widely that its exact origin is uncertain, and it now grows on every continent except Antarctica, mainly between about 45° N and 45° S.

Suggested Uses

Planted for lawns, sports fields, golf fairways, and erosion control on slopes and roadsides in warm climates. Grown as pasture and hay grass for livestock. The spreading habit makes it unsuited to mixed borders, where it invades neighbouring plantings.

How to Identify

Recognised by its low creeping habit with wiry stolons and rhizomes, and by grey-green blades with a fringe of white hairs at the ligule. The seed head is unmistakable: three to seven slender spikes spread like fingers from one point at the top of the stem. Blades are two-ranked and folded in the bud.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 1'

Width/Spread2' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Grasses of Cynodon spp. flower from late spring through autumn, generally May to October in warm climates and nearly year-round in the tropics. The finger-like spikes are wind-pollinated and release pollen over many weeks. Seed ripens a few weeks after flowering.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

green to purplish

Foliage Description

grey-green to deep green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Establishes turf within one growing season

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Cynodon spp. in full sun and free-draining soil; it thins and weakens in shade. It takes a wide pH range of about 5.5 to 8.5 and many soil types, including poor and saline ground. Established turf withstands drought, heat, heavy wear, and close mowing to 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in). Growth is dense and quick through the warm season and stops below about 10 °C (50 °F), when foliage browns and goes dormant. Regular nitrogen feeding and mowing keep turf thick during active growth. Stolons and rhizomes spread laterally and are held back only by a hard edge or barrier.

Pruning

Maintained by mowing rather than pruning, cut at 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) through the growing season. Scalping or verticutting in late spring removes thatch and stimulates dense regrowth. Edging along beds and paths checks the spreading stolons.