Bermudagrass

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Cynodon dactylon

Other Common Names:

devilgrass

grama-seda

manienie

motie molulu

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Capriola dactylon

Cynodon aristiglumis

Panicum dactylon

Cynodon incompletus

Habit

A wiry perennial grass with creeping stolons and rhizomes. Foliage is gray-green to bluish green and forms dense mats. As a desirable turfgrass, bermudagrass is typically maintained at less than 1 inch mowing height. Plants grow during summer and produce seedheads through mid to late summer. Foliage turns brown and persists through the dormant winter months and new green shoots arise in the spring.

Leaves

Leaves are gray-green to blue-green short (2 to 8 in long) and narrow (2 to 5 mm wide). The collar often has long hairs and the ligule is a tuft of hairs. Leaves typically lack hairs and do not have auricles. Stolons are abundant.

Identifying Characteristics

Leaves are rolled in the bud and the ligule is hairy. Stolons are abundant and rhizomes are scaly and sharp.

Flower Seed Head

Seedheads are produced in mid to late summer and consist of 3 to 7 finger-like spikes that radiate from a central point on short, slender, ascending stems.

Seed Fruit

Seed are short and plump about 1.7 mm long and usually shiny straw colored.

Where Found

Common bermudagrass grows in hot dry climates typical of the southern US. It is a common weed in cool-season grasses of the transition zone. Bermudagrass does not survive harsh winters and is difficult to maintain as a turfgrass in extreme northern areas. However, enough plants usually persist to cause weed problems.