What is Bermuda grass?

 Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is a major turf species for sports fields, lawns, parks, golf courses, and general utility turfs in Australia, Africa, India, South America and the Southern region of the United States. It is found in over 100 counties throughout the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Common bermudagrass, C. dactylon, naturalized throughout the warmer regions of the United States, was introduced into this country during the colonial period from Africa or India. The earliest introductions are not recorded, but bermudagrass is listed as one of the principal grasses in the Southern States in Mease's Geological Account of the United States published in 1807.

The genus Cynodon comprises nine species with C. dactylon being the most widespread. That C. dactylon is a tetraploid with broad genetic variability serves to explain its widespread distribution. Other Cynodon species have a more limited natural distribution and are often restricted to one particular habitat. C. dactylon is highly fertile, whereas the diploid species such as C. transvaalensis rarely produce viable seed.

C. dactylon (L.) Pers is commonly called bermudagrass in many areas of the world. But, it is also known by numerous other names including "Kweekgras" (S. Africa), couch grass (Australia and Africa), devil's grass (India) and gramillia (Argentina). The variety of names given this species attests to its wide distribution and to the fact that it is the object of abuse and scorn.

In addition to being a widely used species for forage and turf, C. dactylon is a serious weed in many crops. Being a vigorous, stoloniferous grass, it rapidly invades crops in high rainfall or irrigated areas. C. dactylon is ranked among the three most troublesome weeds in sugarcane, cotton, corn and vineyards in many countries. It is a difficult weed to eradicate because of its seed production and deep rhizomes.

In the United States the distribution of bermudagrass extends from New Jersey and Maryland southward to Florida and westward to Kansas and Texas. Under irrigation its distribution extends westward to southern New Mexico, Arizona and to most major valleys in California. The development of more cold tolerant turf-type varieties of bermudagrass such as U-3 and Midiron has increased interest in the species near its northern limits. Low winter temperature is the factor that limits the northward distribution of bermudagrass.

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Author:   David Boehmer

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