Bermudagrass

Cynodon L. C. Rich

Poaceae

Bermudagrass is one of the most important and widely adapted of the warm season turfgrasses. Most bermudagrasses originated from eastern Africa.

There are four main turf species:

1)      C. dactylon (L.) Pers.

2)      C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy

3)      Cynodon Xmagennisii Hurcombe

4)      C. incompletus Nees var. hirsutus (Stent) de Wet et Harlan

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.

Vernation- folded

Sheaths- compressed, loose, sparsely pubescent with fascicled hairs at throat, split with overlapping, hyaline margins

Ligule- a fringe of white hairs 1-3 mm long

Collar- continuous, narrow to medium broad, glabrous sparingly ciliate

Auricles- absent

Blades- mostly flat, 1.5-3 mm wide, stiff, sparsely pubescent above

Stems- compressed, erect or ascending from a prostrate base, with extensively creeping, strong, flat stolons and/or scaly, stout rhizomes that branch profusely and root at the nodes

Inflorescence- four or five digitate spikes; spikelets sessile and closely appressed in two rows on a narrow, somewhat triangular rachis

Propagation- sprigs, plugs, or sod

*NOTE- Common Bermudagrass is the only turf- type bermudagrass established from seed.

Soil PH- 5.5 to 7.5

Mowing-

Cutting height- 0.5 to 1.0 in. is best

-Heights above 1.5” result in more upright, stemmy growth subject to increased thatching and scalping.

-Frequent mowing is necessary to maintain good quality turf and to avoid scalping.

Fertility Rate- 0.8 to 1.8 lb of nitrogen per 1000sq ft per growing month

Common Diseases- brown patch, dollar spot, Fusarium patch, rust, Pythium blight, and spring dead spot

Common Pests- sod webworms, armyworms, mole crickets, Bermudagrass mites, and nematodes

*Florida abundance and distribution:   This escaped turf grass is naturalized throughout the warmer regions of the Unites States, where it was introduced in the colonial period from the Old World Tropics.

*Other: Highly aggressive, crowding out other grasses and invasive.  It is fast-growing and tough, making this species popular for lawns, golf courses, sporting fields, and coast areas.  Recovers quickly from damage.  Prefers full sun. Plants are  drought resistant and able to withstand heavy traffic.  Reproduces through seeds, runners, and rhizomes.  Reported to have many historical medicinal properties, including antimicrobial and antiviral properties, as well as reported  uses against urinary tract infections, prostatitis, syphilis, dysentery, and diabetes.  Widely used for toothache.

*Internet sources: 2011 www.American-Lawn.com  www.floridagrasses.org

*Contributed by: Grace Walton