We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Cynodon dactylon - (L.)Pers.

Common Name Bermuda Grass
Family Poaceae or Gramineae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards Bermuda grass is reported to be photosensitizing in animals[269]. Under certain environmental conditions the plant can produce hydrocyanic acid and so is potentially toxic to livestock[274]. The plant is also said to cause contact dermatitis and, with its high production of pollen, can be a major cause of hayfever[269, 274].
Habitats Sandy shores in southern Britain[17].
Range Britain. A cosmopolitan plant, found in most tropical to warm temperate regions.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Cynodon dactylon Bermuda Grass


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Pompilid
Cynodon dactylon Bermuda Grass

 

Translate this page:

Summary

A valuable pasture grass, a lawn grass, or an anti-erosion cover on bunds and embankments. A forage resource for milk cattle in areas where the soil is not suitable for growing crops such as maize or soyabean. Medically Bermudagrass is reported to be alterative, anabolic, antiseptic, aperient, astringent, cyanogenetic, demulcent, depurative, diuretic, emollient, sudorific, and vulnerary.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cynodon dactylon is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Astringent  Diuretic  Dysentery  Epilepsy  Ophthalmic

Bermudagrass is reported to be alterative, anabolic, antiseptic, aperient, astringent, cyanogenetic, demulcent, depurative, diuretic, emollient, sudorific, and vulnerary[269]. A decoction of the root is used as a diuretic in the treatment of dropsy and secondary syphilis[240]. An infusion of the root is used to stop bleeding from piles[240, 243]. The juice of the plant is astringent and is applied externally to fresh cuts and wounds[240]. When mixed with the powder of a clove (Syzygium aromaticum), it is used as an anthelmintic[272]. Internally, it is used in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea and dysentery[240, 243]. It is also useful in the treatment of catarrhal ophthalmia[240, 243]. The juice is also diuretic and is used in the treatment of dropsy and anasarca[240, 243]. The leaf juice has also been used in the treatment of hysteria, epilepsy and insanity[240, 243]. The plant is a folk remedy for anasarca, calculus, cancer, carbuncles, convulsions, cough, cramps, cystitis, diarrhoea, dropsy, dysentery, epilepsy, headache, haemorrhage, hypertension, hysteria, insanity, kidneys, laxative, measles, rubella, snakebite, sores, stones, tumours, uro-genital disorders, warts, and wounds[269].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Biomass  Soil stabilization

Plants are sometimes grown as a cover for warm sunny banks and are sometimes used for lawns[200, 269]. They stay green even in hot and dry weather[269]. Plants give complete ground cover in 4-8 weeks when planted 30-45 cm apart[269]. They succeed on most soil types and requires very little mowing on poor soils[269]. Valuable for soil conservation due to its long runners that root at the nodes[269]. Plants are used to produce biomass. Annual productivity ranges from 4 to 52 tonnes per hectare[269].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a warm sunny position in a well-drained soil[200]. The plant can grow in very diverse conditions of soil and moisture, withstanding drought well and also tending to eliminate other plants[269]. It spreads quite rapidly, rooting at the nodes, becoming difficult to eradicate and can be a serious weed in cultivated land[269]. Bermudagrass is reported to tolerate an annual precipitation of 9 to 429cm, an annual temperature range of 5.9 to 27.8°C, and a pH in the range of 4.3 to 8.4. Reported from the Hindustani Centre of Diversity, Bermudagrass, or cvs thereof, is reported to tolerate alkali soil conditions, disease, drought, frost, grazing, herbicide, heavy metal, heavy soil, insects, laterite, nematodes, peat, poor soil, salt, sand, atmospheric pollution, ultraviolet, virus, water-logging and weeds[269]. It is unproductive in poor dry soils and is best adapted to relatively fertile, well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0, in humid areas. Plants withstand long periods of drought, as they produce little growth in dry weather[269]. This species is hardy to about -10°c[200]. Plants vary greatly in habit according to soil and climate, and occur in several natural strains which differ widely in size, colour (bright, yellow-green to dull blue-green), texture of stars and leaves, size of spikes, and grazing value. Most varieties are poor seeders and are propagated by their creeping stem. Bermudagrass can form dense cover in almost pure stands, practically anywhere. Abundant as a weed along roadsides, in lawns, on sandy wastes, along sand dunes, and readily takes possession of any uncultivated area[269].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring. There are almost 4,000,000 seeds per kilo[269]. Division in late spring. Very simple, plants can be propagated easily from rooted sideshoots, establishing quickly when planted straight into the soil[269].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Bahama grass; couch grass; devil grass; dog's tooth grass; quick grass; star grass. Spanish: grama Bermuda; grama común; grama de Espana; gramilla; pasto bermuda; zacate de gallina. French: chiendent; chiendent dactyle; gros chiendent; herbes-des-Bermudes; pied de poule. Portuguese: capim-coastcross; capim-da-bermuda; capim-de-burro; grama; grama-bermuda; grama-seda; mate-me-embora. Angola: usila. Argentina: chepica brava; grama bermuda; gramón; pasto de perro; pasto forestal; pata de perdiz; pie de gallina; tejedora; uña de gato. Brazil: capim de burro; capim-bermuda; capim-fino; grama rasteteira; grama sao paulo; grama seda. Cambodia: smao anchien. Chile: pasto de galina. Colombia: pasto Argentina; pasto ingles. Cuba: grama; hierba de la Bermuda; hierba fina. Dominican Republic: grama fina de Bermudas Egypt: negil. El Salvador: barenillo; zacate de agujilla. Fiji: balama grass; kabuta. Germany: Echte-Hundsahn; Finger-Hundsahn. Greece: agriada. Hawaii: mahiki; manienie. India: arugampul; doob; duba; hariali. Indonesia: gigirintingan; jukut kakawatan; jukut raket. Iran: chair. Iraq: thayyel. Israel: yableet matsui. Italy: gramigna. Japan: gyogishiba. Java: grintingan; hoe maneek; suket grinting. Lebanon: irk-en-najil; shirch-un unjil. Malaysia: rumput minak. Mexico: agrasia. Morocco: mor-chiendent. Myanmar: mye-sa-myet; mye-za-gyi. Netherlands: hondsgrass. New Zealand: Indian doab. Pakistan: khabbal; talla. Peru: grama dulce. Philippines: babalut; galud-galud; kawad-kawaran; kulatai. Puerto Rico: ala quete queda; pelo de brujas; pepe ortis; yerba Bermuda. Saudi Arabia: nageel. South Africa: gewone kweekgras. Sri Lanka: aruham-pul; buha. Sudan: nagila. Suriname: tigriston. Sweden: hundtandgraes. Taiwan: gou-ya-gen. Thailand: yah-phraek. Turkey: kopek disi ayrigi. Venezuela: pasto pata de gallina. Vietnam: cò chi'; co' ông. Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro): zubaca. Zambia: kapinga.

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azores, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canary Islands, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominica, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Socotra, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Listed as one of the most “serious” agricultural and environmental weeds in the world in the Global Compendium of Weeds (Randall, 2012). Cynodon dactylon is listed as invasive in many countries including Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil and many islands in the Pacific Ocean such as Hawaii, Fiji, and French Polynesia.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Pers.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Mike Johnson (B.Eng & Hort Cert IV)   Sat Jun 2 2007

Common throughout Australia, can be invasive, or make a tough "lawn". Locally called "Couch Grass"

Amit Chattopadhyay   Wed Aug 8 2007

Where can I get seeds for Cynodon dactylon grass? I need only 1/2 oz. to 1 oz. Amit Chattopadhyay ([email protected])

gajanand engla   Sun Apr 6 2008

i'm in need of reff. of anticancer activity of the same plant

dr.veeresh adoor   Sun Dec 28 2008

hello, sir plz can you let me know pharmacodynamics of cynodon dactylon in opthalmic disorders.

lea cruz   Mon Jan 19 2009

hello,sir plz can you give us the active constituent of bermuda grass that is responsible for diuretic property

anupam das   Fri May 15 2009

there is no information regarding its chemical constituents

virendra   Sun Jul 12 2009

there is no information regarding its chemical constituents so plz send it

   Sun Sep 6 2009

there is no information regarding its chemical constituents so plz send it..

vina   Fri Sep 18 2009

hi i am vina there is no information regarding its chemical constituents,also which active constituent are responsible for diuretic and kidney stone activity. so plz send it

   Thu Oct 8 2009

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP OF THIS PLANT IN BIOMASS?

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Cynodon dactylon  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.