bermudagrass

Bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon, is a warm-season perennial grass in the Poaceae family. It is native to parts of Africa and southern Asia and is widely cultivated as a turfgrass in warm climates around the world, especially in the southern United States, Australia, and the Mediterranean region.

It forms a dense turf through a network of above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes, with slender leaves typically 2–6 mm wide and 2–10 cm long. The foliage is usually dark green, and the grass can go dormant and turn brown in cooler winters in temperate areas.

Bermudagrass is known for heat and drought tolerance, rapid recovery after damage, and good tolerance to traffic. It establishes quickly, but in some settings can become invasive or outcompete cooler-season grasses if not managed properly.

Establishment can occur by seed, vegetative pieces, or sod. Many turf cultivars are hybrids and produce sterile seed, so propagation relies on vegetative spreading. Varieties are selected for traits such as density, texture, and wear tolerance, with numerous turf-type cultivars in use worldwide.

Common uses include home lawns, sports fields, golf fairways and roughs, and pastures for grazing. Management generally calls for mowing at low to moderate heights (approximately 1–2 inches for lawns, lower on some sports surfaces), adequate irrigation, and regular fertilization. Pest and disease pressures may include brown patch, dollar spot, leaf spot, nematodes, and other pathogens, which are addressed through integrated turf management practices. Bermudagrass remains a key choice for warm-season turf in suitable climates due to its persistence, endurance, and rapid recovery.