Cynodon (original) (raw)

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Genus of flowering plants in the grass family Poaceae

Bermuda grass
Cynodon dactylon
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Chloridoideae
Tribe: Cynodonteae
Subtribe: Eleusininae
Genus: CynodonRich. in Pers. 1805, not Brid. 1819 (a moss in family Ditrichaceae)
Type species
Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers.
Synonyms[1]
Brachyachne (Benth.) Stapf_Capriola_ Adans.Dactilon Vill.Dactylon Roem. & Schult., pro syn.Dactylus Asch., not validly publ.Fibichia Koeler

Cynodon is a genus of plants in the grass family.[2] It is native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Old World, as well as being cultivated and naturalized in the New World and on many oceanic islands.

The genus name comes from Greek words meaning "dog-tooth". The genus as a whole as well as its species are commonly known as Bermuda grass or dog's tooth grass.[_citation needed_]

Species[1][3]

Formerly included[4]

Several species now considered better suited to other genera, namely Arundo, Bouteloua, Chloris, Cortaderia, Ctenium, Digitaria, Diplachne, Eleusine, Enteropogon, Eragrostis, Eustachys, Gynerium, Leptochloa, Molinia, Muhlenbergia, Phragmites, Poa, Spartina, Tridens, and Trigonochloa.

Cultivation and uses

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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.

Recent news reports claim that a Bermuda-derived F1 hybrid called Tifton 85 suddenly started producing cyanide and killed a cattle herd in Texas, USA.[5][6][7]

  1. ^ a b "Cynodon Rich." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  2. ^ Richard, Louis Claude Marie, in Persoon, Christiaan Hendrik. 1805. Synopsis Plantarum 1: 85
  3. ^ Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution maps
  4. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  5. ^ CBS News (June 23, 2012). "Grass linked to Texas cattle deaths". CBS News. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  6. ^ Glenn W. Burton; Roger N. Gates; Gary M. Hill. "TIFTON 85 BERMUDAGRASS". University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  7. ^ T.L. Provin; J.L. Pitt. "Nitrates and Prussic Acid in Forages" (PDF). Texas A&M University System. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.

Media related to Cynodon at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Cynodon at Wikispecies