Family: Poaceae
Author: (L.) Pers.
Bibliography: Syn. Pl. 1: 85 (1805)
Year: 1805
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cynodon
Vegetable: False
Observations: Temp. & Subtrop. Old World to Australia
Description
Bermuda grass, scientifically named Cynodon dactylon, is a resilient and perennial species belonging to the family Poaceae. This plant is indigenous to temperate and subtropical regions of the Old World, extending its presence all the way to Australia. It thrives in a variety of climatic conditions, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and resilience.
Characterized by its fine, dense blades, Bermuda grass forms a carpet-like lawn that is highly popular in landscaping and sports turf. Its capability to withstand heavy foot traffic and rapid recovery from damage makes it a preferred choice for golf courses, parks, and athletic fields. Bermuda grass flourishes in full sunlight and tolerates drought conditions effectively, though it prefers well-drained soil for optimal growth.
The robust root system of Bermuda grass not only helps in soil erosion control but also contributes to its invasiveness. It can spread aggressively via both stolons and rhizomes, forming a dense mat that can outcompete other grasses and weeds. This vigor, while beneficial in many landscaped settings, requires regular maintenance to prevent it from encroaching on unwanted areas.
Besides its prominent use in lawns and sports fields, Bermuda grass serves an ecological role by providing forage for livestock in some regions. It can be harvested and managed as pasture, offering a nutritious diet for grazing animals.
In summary, Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), catalogued by (L.) Pers. in Syn. Pl. 1: 85 (1805), is a versatile and widely adopted species. Its capacity to flourish under varied conditions, coupled with its durability, makes it an invaluable plant in both ornamental landscaping and practical applications.
Common Names
Eng: bermuda grass, bermudagrass, indian couch, common couch, green couch, plain couch
Dan: bermudagræs, hundetandsgræs
Deu: gewöhnliches hundszahngras, hundszahngras
Nld: handjesgras
Por: capim-da-cidade, capim-de-burro, capim-seda, pé-de-galinha
Fra: chiendent dactyle, chiendent pied-de-poule
Afr: gewonekweek
Ita: gramina
Swe: hundtandsgräs
Ara: najeel, theel
Ces: troskut prstnatý
En: Bermuda grass, Green couch, Plain couch, Common couch, Indian couch, Dog’s-tooth-grass, Scutch-grass, Bermudagrass, Bahama Grass, Bermuda-grass, Brakgras Salu, Common Bermuda grass, Cocksfoot-grass, Couch grass, Devil grass, Dhub grass, Dog’s Tooth grass, Dog’s-tooth Grass, Hariali grass, Ziba grass, Chiendent pied-de-poule, Common bermudagrass, Devilgrass
Af: Gewonekweek
Ar: Theel, Najeel, بحبل، عويل, تكبلت (تَكبلت)، مديد (مُديد), مداد (مِداد)، مطيط (مُطيط), نجيل (نَجيل), نجيل بلدى (نِجيل بَلَدى)، نشيل (نِشيل)
Ca: Gram
Zh: Gou ya gen
Cs: Troskut prstnatý
Da: Bermudagræs, Hundetandsgræs
Nl: Handjesgras, Bermudagras
Fr: Chiendent pied-de-poule, Chiendent dactyle, Pied-de-poule, Cynodon, Gros Chiendent, Agrostide de Schleicher, Agrostide des Alpes, Cynodon dactyle, Chiendent pied de poule
De: Gewöhnliches Hundszahngras, Hundszahngras, Bermudagras, Bermuda-Gras, Finger-Hundszahn, Fingerförmiges Hundszahngras, Gemeines Hundszahn-Gras, Gemeines Hundszahngras, Hundszahn-Gras
He: יבלית מצויה
It: Gramina, Capriola, Gramegna, Gramigna rampicante, Ramigna
Pt: Capim-da-cidade, Capim-de-burro, Capim-seda, Pé-de-galinha
Es: Grama común, Grama de Bermuda, Grama-seda, Cama de niňo, Chepica brava, Granilla blanca, Hierba-fina, Pasto bermuda, Pata de perdiz, Zacate agujilla, Zacate bermuda, Zacate conejo, Zacate pata de gallo, Grama colorada, Yuraj ichu
Sv: Hundtandsgräs, Bermudagräs
Cy: Glaswellt Bermwda, Gwair Bermuda
Synonyms
- Cynodon scabrifolius (Caro)
- Cynodon dactylon var. elegans (Rendle)
- Fibichia umbellata var. glabrescens (Beck)
- Fibichia umbellata var. biflora ((Merino) Beck)
- Syntherisma linearis ((L.) Nash)
- Cynodon dactylon var. pilosus (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon decipiens (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Fibichia umbellata (Koeler)
- Cynodon aristulatus (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon portoricensis (Willd. ex Steud.)
- Capriola dactylon ((L.) Kuntze)
- Agrostis linearis (Retz.)
- Cynodon dactylon var. septentrionalis (Asch. & Graebn.)
- Digitaria dactylon ((L.) Scop.)
- Cynodon barberi f. longifolia (Join)
- Agrostis bermudiana (Tussac ex Kunth)
- Panicum glumipatulum (Steud.)
- Cynodon grandispiculus (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon dactylon var. affinis ((Caro & E.A.Sánchez) Romero Zarco)
- Paspalum dactylon ((L.) Lam.)
- Cynodon pascuus (Nees)
- Digitaria glumipatula ((Steud.) Miq.)
- Digitaria stolonifera (Schrad.)
- Digitaria maritima ((Kunth) Spreng.)
- Fibichia umbellata f. major (Beck)
- Cynodon pedicellatus (Caro)
- Chloris cynodon (Trin.)
- Cynodon dactylon septentrionalis (Asch. & Graebn.)
- Dactilon officinale (Vill.)
- Fibichia dactylon ((L.) Beck)
- Capriola dactylon var. maritima ((Kunth) Hitchc.)
- Cynodon iraquensis (Caro)
- Cynodon nitidus (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon dactylon var. villosus (Regel)
- Cynodon dactylon var. glabratus ((Steud.) Chiov.)
- Cynodon dactylon var. densus (Hurcombe)
- Cynodon occidentalis (Willd. ex Steud.)
- Cynodon sarmentosus (Gray)
- Cynodon hirsutissimus ((Litard. & Maire) Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon dactylon var. nipponicus (Ohwi)
- Fibichia umbellata var. major (Beck)
- Cynosurus dactylon ((L.) Pers.)
- Cynodon maritimus var. breviglumis (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon dactylon var. hirsutissimus ((Litard. & Maire) Maire)
- Cynodon erectus (J.Presl)
- Cynodon linearis ((Retz.) Willd.)
- Phleum dactylon ((L.) Georgi)
- Cynodon dactylon var. biflorus (Merino)
- Fibichia umbellata f. glabrescens (Beck)
- Cynodon polevansii (Stent)
- Panicum dactylon (L.)
- Cynodon maritimus var. vaginiflorus (Caro)
- Cynodon dactylon f. major ((Beck) Soó)
- Cynodon dactylon subvar. hirsutissimus (Litard. & Maire)
- Cynodon dactylon var. longiglumis (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon affinis (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynosurus uniflorus (Walter)
- Panicum sanguinale var. ambiguum (Lapeyr.)
- Cynodon dactylon subsp. glabratus ((Steud.) A.Chev.)
- Cynodon glabratus (Steud.)
- Chloris maritima (Trin.)
- Milium dactylon ((L.) Moench)
- Cynodon dactylon f. viviparus (Beetle)
- Cynodon maritimus var. grandispiculus (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon dactylon subsp. nipponicus ((Ohwi) T.Koyama)
- Cynodon stellatus ((Willd.) Willd.)
- Cynodon dactylon var. aridus (J.R.Harlan & de Wet)
- Cynodon umbellatus ((Lam.) Caro)
- Agrostis stellata (Willd.)
- Cynodon dactylon var. parviglumis ((Ohwi) Fosberg & Sachet)
- Cynodon dactylon f. glabrescens ((Beck) Soó)
- Cynodon tenuis (Trin.)
- Cynodon dactylon var. maritimus ((Kunth) Hack.)
- Cynodon aristiglumis (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon dactylon var. stellatus ((Willd.) Steud.)
- Cynodon dactylon f. villosus ((Regel) Roshev.)
- Chloris paytensis (Steud.)
- Vilfa stellata ((Willd.) P.Beauv.)
- Dactylus officinalis (Asch.)
- Cynodon dactylon var. sarmentosus (Pers.)
- Cynodon distichloides (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon repens (Dulac)
- Vilfa linearis ((Retz.) P.Beauv.)
- Cynodon dactylon var. pulchellus (Benth.)
- Paspalum umbellatum (Lam.)
- Cynodon mucronatus (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon laeviglumis (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cynodon parviglumis (Ohwi)
- Cynodon maritimus (Kunth)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Albania (native)
- Aldabra (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Angola (native)
- Assam (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Caprivi Strip (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chad (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Congo (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Djibouti (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Equatorial Guinea (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- France (native)
- Free State (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- Gulf States (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Hungary (native)
- India (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Italy (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Japan (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuwait (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Laccadive Is. (native)
- Laos (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Lesotho (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Mali (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Mozambique Channel I (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nepal (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Ogasawara-shoto (native)
- Oman (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Rodrigues (native)
- Romania (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Seychelles (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Sinai (native)
- Socotra (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- Somalia (native)
- South Australia (native)
- South China Sea (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Tasmania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Togo (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Victoria (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Western Sahara (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Amsterdam-St.Paul Is (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Aruba (introduced)
- Ascension (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Belgium (introduced)
- Belize (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Brazil North (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Brazil West-Central (introduced)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Chile North (introduced)
- Christmas I. (introduced)
- Cocos (Keeling) Is. (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- Desventurados Is. (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Easter Is. (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- French Guiana (introduced)
- Galápagos (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Gilbert Is. (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Guyana (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Howland-Baker Is. (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Iowa (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Kansas (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Kermadec Is. (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Line Is. (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Marquesas (introduced)
- Marshall Is. (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
- Mexico Central (introduced)
- Mexico Gulf (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Mexico Northwest (introduced)
- Mexico Southeast (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Mississippi (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- Montana (introduced)
- Nauru (introduced)
- Nebraska (introduced)
- Netherlands (introduced)
- Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
- Nevada (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Nicaragua (introduced)
- Niue (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Oklahoma (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Panamá (introduced)
- Paraguay (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Phoenix Is. (introduced)
- Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Samoa (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Suriname (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Tokelau-Manihiki (introduced)
- Tonga (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
- Turks-Caicos Is. (introduced)
- Uruguay (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Wake I. (introduced)
- Wallis-Futuna Is. (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Other
Taken Aug 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 16, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2021 by David Ochoa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 20, 1854 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Oct 8, 2022 by Aarkesh Katariya (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2020 by Matt Matt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 6, 2022 by keta myska (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 10, 2021 by Mumdi Pertin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2020 by Hazel Joy Pantorilla (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Feb 3, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Oct 21, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 24, 2020 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 26, 2020 by Kyle Grubb (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 14, 2022 by Florian Ellenberger (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Kovács Kristóf (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2017 by Josep Baldrich (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2019 by Mike A (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 26, 2020 by Kyle Grubb (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 1, 2021 by Quiñoy Yago (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 24, 2017 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Kubíček hajzlíček (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2022 by Chambon Lucas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 16, 2018 by Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/6109637)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:397065-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.)
Specifications
Growth form: Stoloniferous
Growth habit: Graminoid
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 5.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 7
Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]
Soil nutriments: 5
Soil salinity: 1
