bermudagrass
(Cynodon dactylon)
Overview
Bermudagrass is a perennial grass that occurs on almost all soil types. This grass spreads by above ground and underground runners. Leaves are gray-green and 1.5-5.9 in. (4-15 cm) long. The ligule has a ring of white hairs. Flowering occurs in late summer; flowers occur on 1-3 in. (3-7 cm) spikes. Bermudagrass is native to eastern Africa and prefers moist and warm climates with high light. It was introduced into North America in the mid-1800s as a pasture grass. Bermudagrass is widely used as a turf grass.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State List - This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law. For more information, visit Invasive.org
Invasive Listing Sources
- California Invasive Plant Council
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 2
- Invasive Plant Species of West Virginia
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Maryland Code and Regulations Noxious Weed & Seed Law
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Utah Noxious Weeds - Contain
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- West Virginia Native Plant Society, Flora West Virginia Project, and West Virginia Curatorial Database System, September 3, 1999
Taxonomic Rank
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Liliopsida |
| Subclass: Commelinidae |
| Order: Cyperales |
| Family: Poaceae |
| Genus: Cynodon |
| Subject: Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers |
Other System Links
Plants: CYDA
Bayer: CYNDA
GRIN: 12848
ITIS: 41619
NPDN Pest: PCAAZBA
NPDN Host: 33017
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
common bermudagrass, devilgrass
Related Scientific Names:
Capriola dactylon (L.) Pers (Synonym)
Cynodon aristiglumis (L.) Pers (Synonym)
Panicum dactylon (L.) Pers (Synonym)