Maritime Bermudagrass

Cynodon dactylon

Native to:
Afghanistan, Albania, Aldabra, Algeria, Andaman Is., Angola, Australia, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Bangladesh, Benin, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Caprivi Strip, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Congo, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Djibouti, DR Congo, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guam, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Gulf States, Hainan, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jawa, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuwait, Laccadive Is., Laos, Lebanon-Syria, Lesotho, Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Madeira, Malawi, Malaya, Mali, Maluku, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Mozambique Channel Is., Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niger, Nigeria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Ogasawara-shoto, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Philippines, Portu

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Cynodon
Species:
Cynodon dactylon
USDA Symbol:
CYMA27

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
40 cm
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
green
Ground Cover:
Yes
Lawn Substitute:
Yes

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), Automeris patagoniensis, Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Io moth (Automeris io), Leucania latiuscula, black patch (Paratrytone melane), canyonland satyr (Cyllopsis pertepida), Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius), Eufala Skipper (Lerodea eufala), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gemmed Satyr (Cyllopsis gemma), Hermes Satyr (Hermeuptychia hermes), Obscure skipper (Panoquina panoquinoides), orange skipperling (Copaeodes aurantiaca), Red Satyr (Megisto rubricata), Sachem (Atalopedes campestris), Sandhill Skipper (Polites sabuleti), southern skipperling (Copaeodes minimus), Whirlabout (Polites vibex), Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Butterflies:Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Hedone vibex, Oarisma minima, Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes and stolons after fire. Fire removes thatch and can stimulate growth.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Germinates best at warm temperatures (20-35°C). Light aids germination; surface sow without covering.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI