Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a perennial warm-season turfgrass widely used in tropical and subtropical regions. It is known for its aggressive growth, durability, and ability to withstand high temperatures and drought. This makes it a popular choice for lawns, sports fields, and golf courses where a resilient, fine-textured surface is desired. Identifying this grass requires a detailed look at its physical structure and growth habit.
Defining Characteristics of the Blade and Canopy
The overall canopy of a Bermuda grass lawn is typically dense and uniform, especially when regularly mowed. Its color ranges from a deep, rich green to a blue-green hue, giving the turf a vibrant appearance under full sun exposure. This grass has a relatively fine texture, with narrow leaf blades that usually measure between 0.08 and 0.2 inches (2–5 mm) wide.
The leaf blades are linear with a pointed tip and are rolled in the bud rather than folded. The leaf has an inconspicuous, very short, membranous ligule that is fringed with fine hairs. The leaf sheaths, which wrap around the stem, are often distinctly flattened, and they may have long, soft hairs near the collar region where the blade meets the stem.
Identifying Features: Stolons, Rhizomes, and Seed Heads
Identification of Bermuda grass is confirmed by examining the specialized structures responsible for its aggressive spread. The plant utilizes both above-ground and below-ground creeping stems, known as stolons and rhizomes. Stolons are the visible runners that creep along the soil surface, rooting down at the nodes to establish new plants.
Rhizomes are thick, scaly, and wiry underground stems that store energy and allow the grass to survive harsh conditions, forming an almost impenetrable mat beneath the surface. These runners enable the grass to spread rapidly and recover quickly from damage. The stems that arise from these runners can grow erect, reaching up to 1.6 feet (49 cm) tall if left unmowed.
When left to grow, Bermuda grass produces distinct seed heads. The inflorescence consists of a cluster of three to nine finger-like spikes that radiate from a single point at the end of the stem. This arrangement is often described as a “crow’s foot” pattern, with each spike being about 1 to 3 inches long. The tiny spikelets are arranged in two rows along one side of these slender branches.
Visual Changes Based on Season and Maintenance
The appearance of Bermuda grass is significantly affected by the seasons, as it is a warm-season grass that thrives in high temperatures between 75°F and 95°F. As temperatures drop in the fall, the grass enters winter dormancy, causing the vibrant green color to fade. The turf will turn a straw-brown or tan color until temperatures rise again in the spring.
Drought stress also causes a noticeable visual shift in the turf. When the plant is struggling for water, the blades may curl up and the overall color can change to a dull bluish-gray before turning brown. A lawn under drought stress will also exhibit “footprinting,” where footprints remain visible after walking across the turf because the blades are too stressed to spring back up.
The mowing height drastically influences the lawn’s texture and overall look. Bermuda grass tolerates being mowed very low, which is why it is used on golf greens, resulting in a fine, carpet-like surface. If the grass is allowed to grow too tall and then is suddenly cut short, it can expose the yellow or brown stems beneath the green leaf tips, a process known as scalping.
Differentiating Bermuda Grass from Common Turf Varieties
Distinguishing Bermuda grass from other common turf types relies on inspecting the specific details of its growth habit and blade structure.
Zoysia Grass
A frequent comparison is made with Zoysia grass, another warm-season variety, but Zoysia typically has a thicker, wider blade, often measuring 2 to 7 mm wide, compared to the finer Bermuda grass. Zoysia blades tend to feel stiffer and grow more slowly, while Bermuda grass is notably softer and spreads more aggressively.
Crabgrass
Bermuda grass is often confused with crabgrass, especially when both are young, as both can produce finger-like seed heads. A key difference is that crabgrass is generally an annual plant that lacks the extensive, aggressive network of rhizomes that Bermuda grass possesses. Crabgrass also tends to grow in clumps, whereas Bermuda grass forms a dense, uniform mat due to its perennial spreading nature.
Tall Fescue
Compared to Tall Fescue, a cool-season grass, Bermuda grass is easily distinguished by its blade width and color retention. Tall Fescue has a noticeably wider leaf blade with parallel veins. Tall Fescue maintains its green color through cooler weather, whereas Bermuda grass turns brown when it goes dormant in the winter. The presence of both stolons and rhizomes on Bermuda grass is a feature not typically found in the bunch-type growth habit of Tall Fescue.