Cynodon dytahilo

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cynodon dytahilo
• Bermudagrass
• Bermuda-Grass
• Bahama Grass
• Indian couch
• common couch
• green couch
• plain couch
• Durbaghas
• Bermuda Quick Grass
• Bermunda Quick Grass
• Coarse Kweek
• Common Couch Grass
• Common Quickgrass
• Couch Grass
• Doob Grass
• Dub Grass
• Fince Couch Grass
• Finegrass
• Finger Grass
• Fingers
• Florida Grass
• Indian doab
• Kweek
• Quick Grass
• Running Grass
• Scotch Grass
• White Quick Grass
• couch

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Digitaria dactylon
• Cynodon dactylon var. affinis
• Vilfa stellata
• Cynodon stellatus
• Cynodon dactylon septentrionalis
• Cynodon aristiglumis
• Cynodon aristulatus
• Cynodon erectus
• Fibichia umbellata var. glabrescens
• Fibichia umbellata var. major
• Cynodon decipiens
• Fibichia dactylon
• Paspalum umbellatum
• Syntherisma linearis
• Phleum dactylon
• Fibichia umbellata f. glabrescens
• Cynodon dactylon f. major
• Fibichia umbellata f. major
• Panicum sanguinale var. ambiguum
• Cynodon dactylon f. villosus
• Fibichia umbellata var. biflora
• Milium dactylon
• Cynodon dactylon var. sarmentosus
• Cynodon dactylon f. viviparus
• Cynodon dactylon var. septentrionalis
• Cynodon dactylon var. stellatus
• Cynodon dactylon subsp. glabratus
• Paspalum dactylon
• Cynodon dactylon subsp. nipponicus
• Agrostis stellata
• Panicum dactylon
• Agrostis linearis
• Cynodon dactylon subvar. hirsutissimus
• Cynodon barberi f. longifolius
• Cynodon dactylon var. villosus
• Panicum glumipatulum
• Panicum lineare
• Cynodon dactylon var. aridus
• Cynodon dactylon var. biflorus
• Cynodon dactylon var. densus
• Cynodon dactylon var. elegans
• Cynodon dactylon var. glabratus
• Cynodon dactylon var. hirsutissimus
• Cynodon affinis
• Cynodon mucronatus
• Cynodon nitidus
• Cynodon iraquensis
• Cynodon parviglumis
• Cynodon pascuus
• Cynodon pedicellatus
• Cynodon scabrifolius
• Cynodon laeviglumis
• Cynodon linearis
• Cynodon maritimus
• Cynodon maritimus var. breviglumis
• Cynodon maritimus var. grandispiculus
• Cynodon maritimus var. vaginiflorus
• Cynodon glabratus
• Cynodon hirsutissimus
• Cynodon distichloides
• Cynodon dactylon var. longiglumis
• Cynodon dactylon var. maritimus
• Cynodon dactylon var. nipponicus
• Cynodon dactylon var. parviglumis
• Cynodon dactylon var. pilosus
• Cynodon dactylon var. pulchellus
• Cynodon dactylon var. sarmentosus
• Cynodon dactylon var. septentrionalis
• Cynosurus dactylon
• Cynodon tenuis
• Cynodon umbellatus
• Digitaria glumipatula
• Digitaria maritima
• Capriola dactylon
• Capriola dactylon var. maritima
• Chloris maritima
• Chloris paytensis
• Vilfa linearis
• Cynosurus uniflorus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Poales, it is classified under the family Poaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cynodon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its range extends to include Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Austria and Belgium. The distribution also encompasses the territories of Czechia-Slovakia. Finally, the species is well-established throughout Germany.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cynodon dactylon is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. It thrives across an elevational range spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 3000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, colonizing a wide variety of habitats including anthropized areas (Área Antrópica), the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo Limpo, Campo Rupestre, and Cerrado (lato sensu). Furthermore, it is frequently found in specialized ecosystems such as Palmeirais and Restinga, indicating its ability to persist in both tropical savanna and coastal sandy environments.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Limpo, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Palmeiral, Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Cynodon dactylon are characterized by a complex and highly variable karyotype, reflecting its significant evolutionary adaptability. The species exhibits a wide range of chromosome numbers, with documented values including 18, 26, 27, 30, 36, 40, and 54, which suggests a history of polyploidization and genomic restructuring. Despite this numerical diversity across different populations and accessions, the fundamental ploidy level associated with its base genetic structure is identified as 2. This genetic plasticity allows the plant to thrive in diverse ecological niches through various chromosomal arrangements.

Chromosome number :

18,26,27,30,36,40,54

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Cynodon dactylon is characterized by its robust perennial lifecycle, allowing it to persist across multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a cryptophyte, the plant utilizes specialized survival strategies to endure environmental fluctuations, specifically exhibiting a life form classified as a geophyte. This allows it to protect its vital organs underground during unfavorable conditions. Additionally, the plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal changes or environmental stress.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cynodon dactylon is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody, graminoid herb. This terrestrial species is independent and does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit with an ascending shoot orientation. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing plant, with a minimum height of 0 m, a maximum height of 0.5 m, and an average plant height of approximately 0.308 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.308 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cynodon dactylon is characterized by a highly efficient C4 photosynthetic pathway, which enables the plant to optimize carbon fixation under varying environmental conditions. Morphologically, the leaves exhibit significant variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. The leaf width is relatively narrow, maintaining a mean of 0.2 cm, with values fluctuating between a minimum of 0.1 cm and a maximum of 0.4 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of 1.1625 cm². The plant displays a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 306.3 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass distribution and resource acquisition strategy. In terms of specialized metabolic and structural adaptations, Cynodon dactylon is non-succulent and does not possess carnivorous capabilities. Furthermore, it is a non-nitrogen-fixing species, relying on external soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation to support its physiological processes.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

1.1625 cm²

Leaf width max:

0.4 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

306.3 cm²/g

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cynodon dactylon is characterized by its sexual processes, featuring bisexual flowers that facilitate reproductive success. The flowering period is highly flexible, spanning from January through December, which allows for a wide window of reproductive activity. The plant produces spike-type inflorescences that typically range in length from 0.03 m to 0.05 m. Pollination is driven by abiotic factors, specifically via a wind-based syndrome, and self-fertilization is noted as absent. The resulting fruit is a dry, indehiscent achene, with lengths measuring between 0.22 cm and 0.27 cm. These fruits are highly prolific, often containing more than 1,000 seeds per fruit. The seeds themselves are minute, characterized by a mean length of 1 mm, a mean width of 0.5 mm, and a mean volume of 0.17 mm³, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00019876925 g (ranging from 0.00006 g to 0.000367 g). Dispersal is primarily anemochorous, relying on the wind to distribute its light seeds. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this specific dataset, placing the emphasis on its highly efficient wind-pollinated sexual cycle.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower length max:

0.25 cm

Flower length min:

0.2 cm

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.27 cm

Fruit length min:

0.22 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Inflorescence :

spike

Inflorescence length max:

0.05 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.000367 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00019876925 g

Seed mass min:

6e-05 g

Seed volume max:

0.17 mm³

Seed width mean:

0.5 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cynodon dactylon has 5 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome, flower, root, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of food science and technology
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
3. Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B

Rhizome

1. Journal of food science and technology
2. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Flower

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Root

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Seed

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Chemicals

Cynodon dactylon has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,3-DIHYDROBENZOFURAN, 2,3-Dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4h-pyran-4-one, 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL, CA, CATECHIN.

2,3-DIHYDROBENZOFURAN

1. Journal of food science and technology

2,3-Dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4h-pyran-4-one

1. Journal of food science and technology

5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL

1. Journal of food science and technology

CA

1. Journal of animal science

CATECHIN

1. Natural product research

CD

1. Huan jing ke xue= Huanjing kexue

CHLOROFORM

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

CHLOROPHYLL B

1. Natural product research

CU

1. Huan jing ke xue= Huanjing kexue

Carotenoids

1. Natural product research

Activities

Cynodon dactylon has 10 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antimuscarinic, Antiproliferative.

Antioxidant

1. Indian journal of pharmacology
2. Redox report : communications in free radical research
3. Neuromolecular medicine
4. Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B

Antimuscarinic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiproliferative

1. Redox report : communications in free radical research

Bronchodilator

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diuretic

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Hypoglycemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypolipidemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neuroprotective

1. Neuromolecular medicine

Medicinal Uses

Cynodon dactylon has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, DNA damage, anxiety, asthma, atherosclerosis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations