Bermuda grass

Not to be confused with the vertebrate clade "Cynodont"

Cynodon
Cynodon dactylon
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots (unranked): Commelinids Order: Poales Family: Poaceae Genus: Cynodon Rich.
Species
See text

Cynodon (Greek "Dog-tooth") is a genus of nine species of grasses, native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Old World. The genus as a whole as well as its species are commonly known as Bermuda Grass or Dog's Tooth Grass. This species of grass can be found in grasslands of Africa or the Savannahs of Africa (savanna).

Species

• Cynodon aethiopicus
• Cynodon barberi
• Cynodon dactylon
• Cynodon incompletus
• Cynodon nlemfuensis
• Cynodon parviglumis
• Cynodon plectostachyus
• Cynodon radiatus
• Cynodon transvaalensis

Cultivation and uses

Some species, most commonly C. dactylon, are grown as lawn grasses in warm temperate regions, such as the Sunbelt area of the United States where they are valued for their drought tolerance compared to most other lawn grasses. Propagation is by rhizomes, stolons, or seeds. In some cases it is considered to be a weed; it spreads through lawns and flower beds, where it can be difficult to kill with herbicides without damaging other grasses or plants. It is difficult to pull out because the rhizomes and stolons break readily, and then re-grow.

It is also noted for its common use on the surface of greens on golf courses, as well as football and baseball playing fields.

External links

• Genus Cynodon on ITIS Report
• Cynodon on USDA/Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Lawn Maintenance Calendar (North Carolina)