Cynodon dactylon
Couch, Bermuda Grass
A member of the family Poaceae.
A terrestrial stoloniferous, rhizomatous, perennial graminoid herb to a maximum of 30 centimetres tall (often much less). Flowers are greenish, ('flowers' in this case refers to the spikelet as an unit) on a terminal, digitate whorl of spikes, each with 2 rows of overlapping spikelets on the lower side during summer mainly. Fruit, which is a caryopsis within the lemmas, the upper part of the spikelet disarticulating from the glumes to become the dispersal unit at maturity, ripen summer and autumn. The plant is most likely to be dispersed by water, wind and animal action, including cultivation.
The linear leaves are simple, have an alternate presentation on the stem, and are green to grey-green, sparsely hairy above and below. New growth is green to blue-green. Leaf margins are entire and scabrous, with a membranous and hairy ligule.
Habitats: May be found in the following habitats: dry sclerophyll forests, grassy forests, woodlands, grassy woodlands, grasslands (including pasture), riparian areas, dune systems (including stabilised dunes), disturbed areas,
No particular geology is favoured, with no particular soils preferred.
Distribution: For the region considered by this work, it is recorded within the following botanical regions: North Coast, Northern Tablelands and the Northwest Slopes. Actual distribution limits with respect to the whole of New South Wales include Victoria to the south and Queensland to the north. With respect to northern New South Wales, the eastern limit is the sea (and Lord Howe Island), and west to South Australia. The plants occur at any altitude.
Within a population, the individuals generally have an abundance of common to abundant.
Similar species: Similarity can be seen in C. incompletus, Brachyachne convergens and B. ciliaris.
Distinguishing characters: Plants with stolons and rhizomes. Leaves with flat or folded blade, membranous and hairy ligule and dark coloured spikes with the rachilla projecting beyond the floret.
Notes: Cosmopolitan in it's distribution, there are occasionally concerns about whether it truly is Australian.
Fire: The plant's response to fire is that it is possibly resprouting, being most sensitive to fire when young. The juvenile period is most likely to be a year or more. Note that fire response in many species is untested, and if the terms 'possibly' or 'probably' are used, that relates to the most likely outcome. The response of an individual is often dependent upon the timing and intensity of the fire. Also consider that any fire is likely to interrupt reproduction in a species, so consideration of the flowering and fruiting time, and periods beforehand during flower development, are necessary in developing a suitable fire regime.
Ethnobotany: The following is a record of human use of the taxon. Widely cultivated as a lawn grass.
Propagation:
The materials recommended for propagation of the species are seeds and divisions of large plants. Generally, the plants will grow at a fast rate.
The genus text page for Cynodon will be presented in the Genus Window if you select Cynodon in this paragraph.
This species may be found in the 4th volume, on page 522 of the Flora of NSW.