Cynodon dactylon

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Cladus: Commelinids
Ordo: Poales

Familia: Poaceae
Subfamilia: Chloridoideae
Tribus: Cynodonteae
Subtribus: Eleusininae
Genus: Cynodon
Species: Cynodon dactylon
Name

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 85 (1805).
Synonyms

Basionym
Panicum dactylon L., Sp. Pl. 1: 58 (1753).
Homotypic
Digitaria dactylon (L.) Scop., Fl. Carniol., ed. 2, 1: 52 (1771).
Dactilon officinale Vill., Hist. Pl. Dauphiné 2: 69 (1787), nom. superfl.
Paspalum dactylon (L.) Lam., Tabl. Encycl. 1: 176 (1791).
Digitaria littoralis Salisb., Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton: 19 (1796), nom. superfl.
Phleum dactylon (L.) Georgi, Beschr. Nation. Russ. Reich 4: 681 (1800).
Fibichia umbellata Koeler, Descr. Gramin.: 308 (1802), nom. superfl.
Milium dactylon (L.) Moench, Suppl. Meth.: 67 (1802).
Cynosurus dactylon (L.) Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 85 (1805).
Paspalum ambiguum DC. in J.B.A.M.de Lamarck & A.P.de Candolle, Fl. Franç., ed. 3, 3: 16 (1805), nom. superfl.
Digitaria stolonifera Schrad., Fl. Germ.: 165 (1806), nom. superfl.
Panicum ambiguum Le Turq., Fl. Rouen: 28 (1816), nom. superfl.
Cynodon sarmentosus Gray, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 100 (1822) [1821 publ. 1822], nom. superfl.
Chloris cynodon Trin., Gram. Unifl. Sesquifl.: 229 (1824), nom. superfl.
Cynodon repens Dulac, Fl. Hautes-Pyrénées: 76 (1867), nom. superfl.
Capriola dactylon (L.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 764 (1891).
Fibichia dactylon (L.) Beck, Glasn. Zemaljsk. Muz. Bosni Hercegovini 15: 26 (1903).

Heterotypic
Panicum lineare L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 1: 85 (1762).
Agrostis linearis Retz., Observ. Bot. 4: 19 (1786).
Cynosurus uniflorus Walter, Fl. Carol.: 82 (1788).
Paspalum umbellatum Lam., Tabl. Encycl. 1: 177 (1791).
Agrostis stellata Willd., Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 1: 376 (1797).
Digitaria linearis (L.) Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 85 (1805).
Cynodon linearis (Retz.) Willd., Enum. Pl.: 90 (1809).
Cynodon stellatus (Willd.) Willd., Enum. Pl.: 90 (1809).
Vilfa linearis (Retz.) P.Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr.: 16 (1812).
Vilfa stellata (Willd.) P.Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr.: 16 (1812).
Cynodon maritimus Kunth in F.W.H.von Humboldt, A.J.A.Bonpland & C.S.Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 170 (1816).
Cynodon tenuis Trin., Neue Entdeck. Pflanzenk. 2: 63 (1821).
Chloris maritima Trin., Gram. Unifl. Sesquifl.: 236 (1824).
Digitaria maritima (Kunth) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 1: 272 (1824).
Digitaria linearis (Retz.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 1: 271 (1825).
Cynodon erectus J.Presl in C.B.Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 1: 290 (1829).
Cynodon pascuus Nees in C.F.P.von Martius & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Bras. Enum. Pl. 2: 425 (1829).
Agrostis bermudiana Tussac ex Kunth, Enum. Pl. 1: 259 (1833), pro syn.
Agrostis filiformis J.Koenig ex Kunth, Enum. Pl. 1: 261 (1833), pro syn.
Cynodon occidentalis Willd. ex Steud., Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2, 1: 463 (1840), pro syn.
Cynodon portoricensis Willd. ex Steud., Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2, 1: 463 (1840), pro syn.
Panicum glumipatulum Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 41 (1853).
Chloris paytensis Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 207 (1854).
Cynodon glabratus Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 212 (1854).
Digitaria glumipatula (Steud.) Miq., Fl. Ned. Ind. 3: 439 (1857).
Dactylus officinalis Asch., Fl. Brandenburg 1: 810 (1864), pro syn.
Cynodon dactylon var. villosus Regel, Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 41(II): 305 (1869).
Cynodon dactylon var. pulchellus Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 609 (1878).
Fibichia umbellata var. biflora (Merino) Beck, Fl. Nieder-Österreich 1: 76 (1890).
Fibichia umbellata f. glabrescens Beck, Fl. Nieder-Österreich 1: 76 (1890).
Fibichia umbellata f. major Beck, Fl. Nieder-Österreich 1: 76 (1890).
Syntherisma linearis (L.) Nash, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 22: 420 (1895).
Cynodon dactylon var. elegans Rendle in W.P.H iern, Cat. Afr. Pl. 2: 221 (1899).
Cynodon dactylon septentrionalis Asch. & Graebn., Syn. Mitteleur. Fl. 2(1): 85 (1899).
Cynodon dactylon var. biflorus Merino, Fl. Galicia 3: 310 (1909).
Cynodon dactylon var. maritimus (Kunth) Hack., Ark. Bot. 8(8): 40 (1909).
Cynodon dactylon var. glabratus (Steud.) Chiov., Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital., n.s., 26: 82 (1919).
Capriola dactylon var. maritima (Kunth) Hitchc., Bull. U.S.D.A. 772: 179 (1920).
Cynodon dactylon subvar. hirsutissimus Litard. & Maire, Mém. Soc. Sci. Nat. Maroc 4: 25 (1924).
Cynodon polevansii Stent, Bothalia 2: 278 (1927).
Cynodon dactylon var. villosus Grossh., Fl. Kavkaza 1: 91 (1928), nom. illeg.
Cynodon dactylon f. villosus (Regel) Roshev. in V.L.Komarov (ed.), Fl. URSS 2: 285 (1934).
Cynodon dactylon var. hirsutissimus (Litard. & Maire) Maire, Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afrique N. 30: 368 (1939).
Cynodon dactylon var. nipponicus Ohwi, Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 10: 264 (1941).
Cynodon parviglumis Ohwi, Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 55: 538 (1941).
Cynodon dactylon var. densus Hurcombe, J. S. African Bot. 13: 107 (1947).
Cynodon dactylon subsp. glabratus (Steud.) A.Chev., Rev. Int. Bot. Appl. Agric. Trop. 27: 282 (1947).
Cynodon dactylon var. sarmentosus Parodi, Revista Argent. Agron. 23: 185 (1956).
Cynodon barberi f. longifolia Join, Indian Forester 92: 699 (1966).
Cynodon affinis Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 223 (1969).
Cynodon aristiglumis Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 236 (1969).
Cynodon dactylon var. aridus J.R.Harlan & de Wet, Crop Sci.(Madison) 9: 774 (1969).
Cynodon dactylon var. longiglumis Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 210 (1969).
Cynodon dactylon var. pilosus Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 210 (1969).
Cynodon decipiens Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 262 (1969).
Cynodon distichloides Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 254 (1969).
Cynodon grandispiculus Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 258 (1969), pro syn.
Cynodon hirsutissimus (Litard. & Maire) Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 220 (1969).
Cynodon laeviglumis Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 217 (1969).
Cynodon maritimus var. breviglumis Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 234 (1969).
Cynodon maritimus var. grandispiculus Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 234 (1969).
Cynodon mucronatus Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Kurtziana 5: 239 (1969).
Cynodon dactylon f. glabrescens (Beck) Soó, Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 17: 123 (1971 publ. 1972), not validly publ.
Cynodon dactylon f. major (Beck) Soó, Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 17: 123 (1971 publ. 1972).
Cynodon aristulatus Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Darwiniana 17: 514 (1972).
Cynodon dactylon var. septentrionalis (Asch. & Graebn.) Ravarut, Fl. Republ. Socialist. România 12: 139 (1972).
Cynodon nitidus Caro & E.A.Sánchez, Darwiniana 17: 510 (1972).
Cynodon dactylon f. viviparus Beetle, Phytologia 48: 189 (1981).
Cynodon dactylon var. parviglumis (Ohwi) Fosberg & Sachet, Micronesica 18: 45 (1982 publ. 1984).
Cynodon iraquensis Caro, Dominguezia 6: 5 (1983).
Cynodon maritimus var. vaginiflorus Caro, Dominguezia 6: 20 (1983).
Cynodon pedicellatus Caro, Dominguezia 6: 9 (1983).
Cynodon scabrifolius Caro, Dominguezia 6: 13 (1983).
Cynodon umbellatus (Lam.) Caro, Dominguezia 6: 16 (1983).
Cynodon dactylon var. affinis (Caro & E.A.Sánchez) Romero Zarco, Lagascalia 14: 171 (1986).
Cynodon dactylon subsp. nipponicus (Ohwi) T.Koyama, Grass. Japan: 498 (1987).

Distribution
Native distribution areas:
References
Primary references

Persoon, C.H. 1805. Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum, complectens enumerationem systematicam specierum hucusque cognitarum. Pars prima. XII+546 pp. Apud Carol. Frid. Cramerum, Parisiis Lutetiorum [Paris]; Apud J.G. Cottam, Tubingae [Tübingen]. BHL Biblioteca Digital Reference page. : 85.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2015. Cynodon dactylon in World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2015 Apr. 28. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2015. Cynodon dactylon. Published online. Accessed: Apr. 28 2015.
Tropicos.org 2015. Cynodon dactylon. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 28 Apr. 2015.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Cynodon dactylon in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.

Vernacular names
Deutsch: Hundszahngras
English: Bermuda Grass
suomi: Varvasheinä, sormiheinä
français: Chiendent pied de poule
հայերեն: Արվանտակ, շնատամ, սիլ
italiano: Gramigna
polski: Cynodon palczasty
русский: Свинорой пальчатый
தமிழ்: அறுகு

Cynodon dactylon, known as Bermuda grass, Dhoob, dūrvā grass, ethana grass, dubo, dog's tooth grass,[2] Bahama grass, devil's grass, couch grass, Indian doab, arugampul, grama, wiregrass and scutch grass, is a grass found worldwide. It is native to Europe, Africa, Australia and much of Asia. It has been introduced to the Americas.[3][4] Although it is not native to Bermuda, it is an abundant invasive species there. In Bermuda it has been known as "crab grass" (also a name for Digitaria sanguinalis).

Description
Growing in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park on the Island of Hawai'i

The blades are a grey-green colour and are short, usually 2–15 cm (0.79–5.91 in) long with rough edges.[5] The erect stems can grow 1–30 cm (0.39–11.81 in) tall. The stems are slightly flattened, often tinged purple in colour.

The seed heads are produced in a cluster of two to six spikes together at the top of the stem, each spike 2–5 cm (0.79–1.97 in) long.[5]

It has a deep root system; in drought situations with penetrable soil, the root system can grow to over 2 metres (6.6 ft) deep, though most of the root mass is less than 60 centimetres (24 in) under the surface. The grass creeps along the ground with its stolons, and roots wherever a node touches the ground, forming a dense mat. C. dactylon reproduces through seeds, stolons, and rhizomes. Growth begins at temperatures above 15 °C (59 °F) with optimum growth between 24 and 37 °C (75 and 99 °F); in winter, the grass becomes dormant and turns brown. Growth is promoted by full sun and retarded by full shade, e.g., close to tree trunks.
Cultivation

Cynodon dactylon is widely cultivated in warm climates all over the world between about 30° S and 30° N latitude, and that get between 625 and 1,750 mm (24.6 and 68.9 in) of rainfall a year (or less, if irrigation is available). For example, it is grown in the U.S. mostly in the southern half of the country.
Cultivars

Hundreds of cultivars have been created specifically for environmental tolerance and stakeholder requirements. New cultivars are released yearly.[6][7]
Uses
Religious

In India, commonly known as "durva" or dūrvāyugma, this grass is used in the Ayurveda system of medicine.[8] In Hinduism, it is considered important in the worship of Lord Ganesha. A clump of 21 shoots of this grass is usually offered during the pooja ceremony. It has been a part of Hindu rituals since Vedic times.

A unique festival, called Durva Ashtami, dedicated to the grass is celebrated on the 8th day of Shukla Paksha of Bhadra month of the Hindu calendar.[9]

It is known as "Karuka" in Malayalam and is part of the Dashapushpam (Ten sacred flowers) in Kerala.[10]

This grass is a Yoruba herb used for Esu or Elegba in the Ifá Orisa System.
Medicinal value

The rhizomes are reported to act as a diuretic in humans and the grass juice can act as an astringent.[8]

It has been observed that Cynodon dactylon may be selectively eaten by dogs to swiftly induce vomiting when they have gastrointestinal problems. The effect may be due to irritation caused by bristles on the leaf margin.[8]
Other

It is fast-growing and tough, making it popular and useful for sports fields, as when damaged it will recover quickly. It is a highly desirable turf grass in warm temperate climates, particularly for those regions where its heat and drought tolerance enable it to survive where few other grasses do. This combination makes it a frequent choice for golf courses in the southern and southeastern U.S. It has a relatively coarse-bladed form with numerous cultivars selected for different turf requirements.

Bermuda grass has been cultivated in saline soils in California's Central Valley, which are too salt-damaged to support agricultural crops; it was successfully irrigated with saline water and used to graze cattle.[11][12]
NFL Playing Surfaces

State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ (Tifway 419 Hybrid Bermudagrass)
M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD (Tifway 419 Bermudagrass)
Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO (Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass)
FedEx Field in Landover, MD (Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass)
Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN (Tifsport Bermuda Sod)
Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, NV
Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA (Tifway II Bermuda Grass)
TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL (Tifway 419 Bermudagrass)
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL (Tifway 419 Bermudagrass)
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL (Tifway 419 Bermudagrass)

MLB Playing Surfaces

Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA (Tifway 419 Bermudagrass)
Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA (Santa Ana Bermudagrass)
Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, CA (Tifway II Bermuda Grass)
Petco Park in San Diego, CA (BullsEye Bermuda Grass)
Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA (Tifway 419 Bermudagrass)

Ecology
Cynodon dactylon (foreground, the background grass is a separate species) at Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
Invasive nature of cynodon dactylon - growing out of a small hole in a concrete curb
Invasive species

It is a highly aggressive invasive species, crowding out most other grasses and invading other habitats, and has become a hard-to-eradicate weed in some areas (it can be controlled somewhat with Triclopyr, Mesotrione, Fluazifop-P-butyl, and Glyphosate).[13][14] This weedy nature leads some gardeners to give it the name of "devil grass". Bermuda grass is incredibly difficult to control in flower beds and most herbicides do not work. However, Ornamec, Ornamec 170, Turflon ester (tricyclopyr), and Imazapyr have shown some effectiveness. All of these items are difficult to find in retail stores, as they are primarily marketed to professional landscapers.[15]

The hybrid variety Tifton 85, like some other grasses (e.g. sorghum), produces cyanide under certain conditions,[16] and has been implicated in several livestock deaths.
References

"The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
"Iraq". lntreasures.com. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
"Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science".
"CABI Invasive Species Compendium".
Walker, Karen; Burrows, Geoff; McMahon, Lynne (2001). Bidgee bush: an identification guide to common native plant species of the south western slopes of New South Wales. Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory: Greening Australia. p. 82. ISBN 978-1-875345-61-8. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
Shi H, Wang Y, Cheng Z, Ye T, Chan Z. Analysis of natural variation in bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) reveals physiological responses underlying drought tolerance. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(12):e53422.
"Warm-Season Grass Breeding". www.uga.edu. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
Kandwal, Manish K.; Sharma, M. L. (2011). "Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers. : a self-treatment grass for dogs". Current Science. 101 (5): 619–621. JSTOR 24078622. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
Majupuria, Trilok Chandra (2009). Religious & useful plants of Nepal & India: (medicinal plants and flowers as mentioned in religious myths and legends of Hinduism and Buddhism). Rohit Kumar (Majupuria). ISBN 978-9937-2-0473-6.
Vijayan Namboothiri, Mini. 'Dashapushpam'- through the looking glasses of Science and Religion. ISBN 978-620-0-31860-2. OCLC 1197284682.
Kaffka, Stephen (2009). "Can feedstock production for biofuels be sustainable in California?" (PDF). California Agriculture. 63 (4): 202–207. doi:10.3733/ca.v063n04p202. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-13. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
Stephen Kaffka; Stephen Grattan; Dennis Corwi; Maximo Alonso; George E. Brown Jr. "Bermuda Grass Yield and Quality in Response to Different Salinity and N, Se, Mo, and B Rates in West San Joaquin Valley" (PDF). UC Center for Water Resources. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2015.
"Tenacity and Bermuda Control - LawnSite.com™ - Lawn Care & Landscaping Business Forum". Lawnsite.com. 2011. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
Teuton T.C.; J.B. Unruh; B.J. Brecke; G.L. Miller (2005). "Hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) Control with Glyphosate and Fluazifop-p-butyl". Applied Turfgrass Science. doi:10.1094/ATS-2005-0119-01-RS. Archived from the original on 2011-03-21.
John Boyd; Brian N. Rodgers. "BERMUDAGRASS CONTROL WITH ARSENAL" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 June 2010.
Provin, T. L.; Pitt, J. L. "Nitrates and Prussic Acid in Forages" (PDF). Texas A&M University System. Retrieved June 24, 2012.