Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.
Common Name : Bermuda grass
Family : Poaceae

HABIT |
PERENNIAL GRASS. |
STEMS |
THE RHIZOMES ARE MAINLY IN THE TOP 10 CM OF THE SOIL. THEY SPREAD HORIZONTALLY FOR SEVERAL METERS, WITH NODES AT APPROXIMATELY 10 CM INTERVALS, EACH WITH 2-3 SCALE LEAVES AND A SINGLE AXILLARY BUD. IN DENSE STANDS, SHOOTS DEVELOPING FROM BUDS ON RHIZOMES OR RUNNERS TEND TO BE ERECT AND QUITE SHORT, UP TO 25 CM HIGH, BUT DEVELOP INTO PROSTRATE RUNNERS UNDER LESS DENSE CONDITIONS. |
LEAVES |
THE RHIZOMES ARE MAINLY IN THE TOP 10 CM OF THE SOIL. THEY SPREAD HORIZONTALLY FOR SEVERAL METERS, WITH NODES AT APPROXIMATELY 10 CM INTERVALS, EACH WITH 2-3 SCALE LEAVES AND A SINGLE AXILLARY BUD. IN DENSE STANDS, SHOOTS DEVELOPING FROM BUDS ON RHIZOMES OR RUNNERS TEND TO BE ERECT AND QUITE SHORT, UP TO 25 CM HIGH, BUT DEVELOP INTO PROSTRATE RUNNERS UNDER LESS DENSE CONDITIONS. |
FLOWERS |
THE INFLORESCENCE IS SUPPORTED ON A CULM UP TO 25 CM HIGH AND CONSISTS OF A SINGLE WHORL OF 3-7 NARROW RACEMES, EACH 3-8 CM LONG. SPIKELETS ARE 2-2.5 MM LONG, IN TWO ROWS, CLOSELY APPRESSED TO THE RACHIS. |