Green Couch, Indian Couch, Perennial Couch, Plain Couch, Bermuda Grass , Bermuda Grass, Bermudagrass, Indian Doab, Finger Grass, Couch Grass, Quick Grass, Bermunda Quick Grass, Running Grass, Kweek, Couch, Bataviesekweek, Bermuda Quick Grass, Coarse Kweek, Common Couch Grass, Common Quickgrass, Doob Grass, Dub Grass, Fince Couch Grass, Finegrass, Fingergrass, Fingers, Florida Grass, Scotch Grass, White Quick Grass
Kingdom:
Plantae
Phylum:
Tracheophyta
Subphylum:
Angiospermae
Class:
Liliopsida
Order:
Poales
Family:
Poaceae
Subfamily:
Chloridoideae
Tribe:
Cynodonteae
Genus:
Cynodon
Species:
Cynodon dactylon
Cynodon dactylon, commonly known as Bermuda grass, also known as couch grass in Australia and New Zealand, is a grass found worldwide. It is native to Europe, Africa, Australia and much of Asia. It has been introduced to the Americas.[2][3] Contrary to its common name, it is not native to Bermuda and is in fact an abundant invasive species there. In Bermuda it has been known as "crab grass" (also a name for Digitaria sanguinalis). Other names are Dhoob, dūrvā grass, ethana grass, dubo, dog grass, dog's tooth grass,[4] Bahama grass, crab grass, devil's grass, couch grass, Indian doab, arugampul, grama, wiregrass and scutch grass.
Hybrid species of Cynodon dactylon have been produced known as Cynodon dactylon x transvaalensis. These are Interspecific hybrids from cross-pollination of plants of different species. Vegetatively propagated Bermuda/couch hybrid varieties are developed by a selection of superior plants from established seeded or vegetatively propagated plantings. The branded varieties are primarily known as triploids, which have 3 sets of chromosomes.
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 white or green, and occasionally 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 or in the dry season, the grass becomes dormant and turns brown. Growth is promoted by full sun and retarded by full shade, e.g., close to tree trunks.[citation needed]
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, in the United States, it is grown mostly in the southern half of the country.
Cultivated Bermuda grass with "tiger striping", caused by Rayleigh–Bénard convection during the first frosts of the fall. The frost regions turn brown after several days and the frost-free regions remain green.[6] The spatial scale of the pattern is ~20 cm.
Cultivars
Hundreds of cultivars have been created specifically for environmental tolerance and stakeholder requirements. New cultivars are released yearly.[7][8]
Uses
Religious
Commonly known as "durva" or dūrvāyugma in India, this grass is used in the Ayurveda system of medicine.[9] Performing a rite called "the consecration of Rudra (Sanskrit Rudrabhisheka) described in the Purāṇas while offering durva 11 times bestows long life.[citation needed] In Hinduism, it is considered important in the worship of Lord Ganesha.[10][11] A clump of 21 shoots of this grass is usually offered during puja (worship).[citation needed] It has been a part of Hindu rituals since Vedic times.[citation needed] A unique festival called Durga Ashtami, dedicated to this grass, is celebrated on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha of Bhadra month of the Hindu calendar.[12]
Groom tying a dubo garland around the bride's neck in a NepaleseHindu wedding
In Nepal, the grass is known as "dubo" and is used by the Hindus. According to Nepalese Hindus, the grass symbolises long life. The grass is an essential item for the Naga Panchami festival as well as the Gaura festival.[14][15][16] In a Nepalese Hindu wedding, a garland made of this grass is worn by both bride and groom.[17]
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.[9]
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 tolerance to heat and drought enable it to survive where few other grasses do. This combination makes it a frequent choice for golf courses in the southern and southeastern United States and South Africa. It has a relatively coarse-bladed form with numerous cultivars selected for different turf requirements.[citation needed]
Cynodon dactylon (foreground, the background grass is a separate species) at Peradeniya Royal Botanical GardenInvasive nature of cynodon dactylon as it grows out of a small hole in a concrete curb
Invasive species
It can be an 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).[28][29] 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.[30]
The hybrid variety Tifton 85, like some other grasses (e.g. sorghum), produces cyanide under certain conditions,[31] and has been implicated in several livestock deaths.
^Ackerson BJ, Beier RA, Martin DL. Ground level air convection produces frost damage patterns in turfgrass. Int J Biometeorol. 2015;59:1655. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-0972-3
^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.
^Chavan, T. B., Masal, V. P., & Ghalme, R. L. STUDY ON MEDICINAL AND TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL PLANTS USED IN HINDU RELIGION FROM RATNAGIRI DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA.
^Singh, R. P. (2023). Symbolism, sacrality, and foodscapes in Hindu pilgrimage system. D. Munro, B. Noel, H. Daniel, & Olsen (Eds.), Food, the pilgrim, and faith-based travel, 121-134.
^"Love and Marriage in Nepal". Vogue. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2022. nd a garland of flowers and dubo or durva grass, a symbol of long life.
Cynodon dactylon, commonly known as Bermuda grass, also known as couch grass in Australia and New Zealand, is a grass found worldwide. It is native to Europe, Africa, Australia and much of Asia. It has been introduced to the Americas.[2][3] Contrary to its common name, it is not native to Bermuda and is in fact an abundant invasive species there. In Bermuda it has been known as "crab grass" (also a name for Digitaria sanguinalis). Other names are Dhoob, dūrvā grass, ethana grass, dubo, dog grass, dog's tooth grass,[4] Bahama grass, crab grass, devil's grass, couch grass, Indian doab, arugampul, grama, wiregrass and scutch grass.
Hybrid species of Cynodon dactylon have been produced known as Cynodon dactylon x transvaalensis. These are Interspecific hybrids from cross-pollination of plants of different species. Vegetatively propagated Bermuda/couch hybrid varieties are developed by a selection of superior plants from established seeded or vegetatively propagated plantings. The branded varieties are primarily known as triploids, which have 3 sets of chromosomes.
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 white or green, and occasionally 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 or in the dry season, the grass becomes dormant and turns brown. Growth is promoted by full sun and retarded by full shade, e.g., close to tree trunks.[citation needed]
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, in the United States, it is grown mostly in the southern half of the country.
Cultivated Bermuda grass with "tiger striping", caused by Rayleigh–Bénard convection during the first frosts of the fall. The frost regions turn brown after several days and the frost-free regions remain green.[6] The spatial scale of the pattern is ~20 cm.
Cultivars
Hundreds of cultivars have been created specifically for environmental tolerance and stakeholder requirements. New cultivars are released yearly.[7][8]
Uses
Religious
Commonly known as "durva" or dūrvāyugma in India, this grass is used in the Ayurveda system of medicine.[9] Performing a rite called "the consecration of Rudra (Sanskrit Rudrabhisheka) described in the Purāṇas while offering durva 11 times bestows long life.[citation needed] In Hinduism, it is considered important in the worship of Lord Ganesha.[10][11] A clump of 21 shoots of this grass is usually offered during puja (worship).[citation needed] It has been a part of Hindu rituals since Vedic times.[citation needed] A unique festival called Durga Ashtami, dedicated to this grass, is celebrated on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha of Bhadra month of the Hindu calendar.[12]
Groom tying a dubo garland around the bride's neck in a NepaleseHindu wedding
In Nepal, the grass is known as "dubo" and is used by the Hindus. According to Nepalese Hindus, the grass symbolises long life. The grass is an essential item for the Naga Panchami festival as well as the Gaura festival.[14][15][16] In a Nepalese Hindu wedding, a garland made of this grass is worn by both bride and groom.[17]
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.[9]
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 tolerance to heat and drought enable it to survive where few other grasses do. This combination makes it a frequent choice for golf courses in the southern and southeastern United States and South Africa. It has a relatively coarse-bladed form with numerous cultivars selected for different turf requirements.[citation needed]
Cynodon dactylon (foreground, the background grass is a separate species) at Peradeniya Royal Botanical GardenInvasive nature of cynodon dactylon as it grows out of a small hole in a concrete curb
Invasive species
It can be an 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).[28][29] 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.[30]
The hybrid variety Tifton 85, like some other grasses (e.g. sorghum), produces cyanide under certain conditions,[31] and has been implicated in several livestock deaths.
^Ackerson BJ, Beier RA, Martin DL. Ground level air convection produces frost damage patterns in turfgrass. Int J Biometeorol. 2015;59:1655. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-0972-3
^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.
^Chavan, T. B., Masal, V. P., & Ghalme, R. L. STUDY ON MEDICINAL AND TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL PLANTS USED IN HINDU RELIGION FROM RATNAGIRI DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA.
^Singh, R. P. (2023). Symbolism, sacrality, and foodscapes in Hindu pilgrimage system. D. Munro, B. Noel, H. Daniel, & Olsen (Eds.), Food, the pilgrim, and faith-based travel, 121-134.
^"Love and Marriage in Nepal". Vogue. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2022. nd a garland of flowers and dubo or durva grass, a symbol of long life.
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