Page 134 - AG 7-2011 Revised 2016

Photo Courtesy of PBI/Gordon Corp. Bermuda Grass
(Cynoden dactylon)
Bermudagrass is creeping perennial warm-season (C-4) turfgrass.
Bermudagrass spreads by both rhizomes and stolons.
Bermudagrass is grown as a fine turf throughout the transition
zone and in the South. The ligule consists of a fringe of hair.
Auricles are absent. The leaves of bermudagrass are folded in the
bud, and the sheath is strongly compressed. The leaf is short,
approximately 1/8 inch wide with rough edges. The roots of
bermudagrass are deep and fibrous allowing it to be highly
drought tolerant. The stolons root at the nodes forming a thick
dense mat

Immature Stage The seedhead of Bermudagrass consists of 3 - 7 finger-like spikes.
Seedheads are present during the summer months. Common
bermudagrass can spread by seed, but hybrid varieties only
spread by vegetative means.

Bermudagrass is found on open sunny areas. Bermudagrass does not grow in the shade. It can be found in turf,
landscapes and in most cultural crops. Bermudagrass is very tolerant of low mowing, and can be found on both dry
and wet soils.

Integrated Pest Management Control Recommendations

Cultural Practices:
Bermudagrass can be highly invasive and frequently requires control in both landscape beds and stands of
other turfgrass species. Physical hand removal is possible in landscape and ornamental beds. However, hand
pulling from competing turfgrass stands is not a practical option.

Herbicide Use:
For treatment of bermudagrass in landscape beds, a grass herbicide may be sprayed over-the-top of many
ornamental species; or a non-selective herbicide may be spot-sprayed taking care that the spray does not contract
flowers and other ornamentals. For renovation of large turfgrass areas or landscape beds, make a broadcast
application of a non-selective postemergent herbicide.

Perennial Grass Weeds

Auricle Ligule Leaf Blade
Sheath
New Leaf

Rhizome Stolon

Rhizomes, stolons, tubers, and fleshy roots make perennial weeds difficult to control.
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