Aquatic plants
狗牙根
Cynodon dactylon
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Common name: Bermuda grass,
dog grass, couch grass or crab grass.
Cynodon dactylon, also known as Bermuda grass or Scutch grass, is a type of grass.
The stem has stolons (spreading along the ground) and rhizomes, with a plant height of about 15-25 cm. The stem is cylindrical, slightly swollen at the nodes, with each stolon segment being about 10-13 cm long.
The leaves are lanceolate, about 3-6 cm long and about 0.5 cm wide, mostly growing on the culm base or stolons. The ligule is lacerate with short hairs, the sheath has ridges and is hairy at the mouth. The leaves have bristles near the sheath.
The flower is a raceme, with flowers growing upright. The spikelets are arranged in a 3-6 finger-like pattern, about 3-5 cm long, with each spikelet being about 0.2 cm long. Each usually contains one floret, sessile, arranged in two rows on one side of the axis, ovate-oblong, flattened, and shed at maturity.
The pistillate flowers are upright and brush-like, turning slightly purplish-red when mature, and scattered. The staminate flowers have long pedicels, about 1 cm long, with pale yellow anthers, which are bifurcate.The glumes are about 0.15 cm long, persistent, equal or slightly unequal in length, boat-shaped, blunt, with ridges and three veins, densely hairy on the ridges.The palea and lemma are tightly clasped together. The flowering period is from May to October.
Each inflorescence can produce 25-36 caryopses; the seeds are oblong, purple or green.
STEM
LEAF
INFLORESCENCE
Find it in NSYSU campus
Adapted to Aquatic Environment
Bermuda grass is not typically adapted to aquatic environments. It thrives in well-drained soils and is highly tolerant of drought. However, it can grow in a variety of soil types, including those with moderate moisture. It is not usually found in waterlogged or fully aquatic conditions but can tolerate short periods of flooding.
Distribution
It is native to Europe, Africa, Australia and much of Asia. It has been introduced to the Americas. In Taiwan, Bermuda grass is widely distributed across various regions. It is commonly found in lowland areas, coastal regions, and urban environments. Due to its robust nature and adaptability, it is frequently used in lawns, parks, sports fields, and along roadsides. The warm, humid climate of Taiwan provides an ideal environment for its growth and spread.
Religious
In India, Bermuda grass, known as "durva," is used in Ayurvedic medicine and Hindu rituals, particularly worshiping Lord Ganesha and during the Durga Ashtami festival. In Nepal, it symbolizes long life and is part of festivals and weddings.
Medical Used
Bermuda grass rhizomes act as a diuretic and the juice is an astringent.
It's observed that dogs eat it to induce vomiting during gastrointestinal issues due to leaf bristle irritation.
