Cynodon dactylon

Cynodon dactylon
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Cynodon
Species:	C. dactylon
Binomial name
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.

Cynodon dactylon (syn. Panicum dactylon, Capriola dactylon), also known as Dūrvā Grass, Bermuda Grass, Dubo, Dog's Tooth Grass, Bahama Grass, Devil's Grass, Couch Grass, Indian Doab, Arugampul, Grama, and Scutch Grass, is a grass native to north and east Africa, Asia and Australia and southern Europe.^{[citation needed]} Although it is not native to Bermuda, it is an abundant invasive species there. It is presumed to have arrived in North America from Bermuda, resulting in its common name.^{[citation needed]}

The blades are a grey-green colour and are short, usually 2–15 centimetres (0.79–5.9 in) long with rough edges.^[1] The erect stems can grow 1–30 centimetres (0.39–12 in) tall. The stems are slightly flattened, often tinged purple in colour. The seed heads are produced in a cluster of 2–6 spikes together at the top of the stem, each spike 2–5 centimetres (0.79–2.0 in) long.^[1] It has a deep root system; in drought situations with penetrable soil, the root system can grow to over 2 m deep, though most of the root mass is less than 60 cm under the surface. The grass creeps along the ground and root wherever a node touches the ground, forming a dense mat. C. dactylon reproduces through seeds, through runners and rhizomes. Growth begins at temperatures above 15 °C (59 °F) with optimum growth between 24 to 37 °C (75 to 99 °F); in winter the grass becomes dormant and turns brown. Growth is promoted by full sun and retarded by full shade, e.g., close to tree trunks.

Cultivation and uses

C. dactylon growing in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park on Island of Hawaiʻi

C. dactylon is widely cultivated in warm climates all over the world between about 30° south and 30° north latitude, and that get between 625–1,750 mm (24.6–69 in) of rainfall a year (or less, if irrigation is available). It is also found in the U.S. mostly in the southern half of the country and in warm climates. 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 heat and drought tolerance enable it to survive where few other grasses do. It has a relatively coarse-bladed form with numerous cultivars selected for different turf requirements. It is also highly aggressive, crowding out most other grasses and invading other habitats, and has become a hard-to-eradicate weed in some areas. This weedy nature leads some gardeners to give it the name of "devil grass".

Bermuda grass has been cultivated on saline soils in California's Central Valley which are too salt-damaged to support agricultural crops; it was successfully irrigated with saline water and used to graze cattle.^[2][3]

This grass is given significant importance in Hinduism due to its medicinal values and dedicated especially to Lord Ganesha.^{[citation needed]}

Use in Alternative Medicine

Cynodon dactylon has been studied at the University of Allahabad in India, and is reported to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, and has been suggested for treatment of urinary tract infections, prostatitis, syphilis, and dysentery.^[4] Additional research is being conducted on C. dactylon involving its glycemic potential, which is involved in the treatment of diabetes. In laboratory rats treated with the ethanolic extract of defatted C. dactylon, hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic results were observed on the blood glucose levels of the tested population.^[4] Test populations showed nearly a 50% drop in blood glucose levels when the proper dosage was administered.^[4] This suggests the potential for Cynodon dactylon to become an alternative to current diabetes medications. Used in traditional cultures for toothache & amibiasis(dysentry).^{[citation needed]} Bermudagrass is one of the most sun loving warm season lawn and pasture grasses. Bermuda can be easily planted from grass seed and provides a good "medium plus" turfgrass lawn in Southern areas. Bermuda turf requires a moderate amount of lawn grass care, maintenance and mowing.

Names

Cynodon dactylon has different names in various languages..^[5]

• Sanskrit : Bhargavi; Doorwa; Granthi; Sveta
• Hindi : Doorva; Doob
• Tamil : Arugu; Aruvam-pillu; Mooyar-pul
• Bengali : Durba
• Kannada : Ambate-hullu; Garikae
• Malayalam : Karuka-pulli
• Marathi : Doorva; Haryali
• Punjabi : Dub; Kabbar; Talla
• Telugu : Garika; Gerike; Haryali (గరిక)
• Pushtu : Kabal
• Urdu : Ghass
• Nepali language Nepali:Dubo

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Walker, Karen; Burrows, Geoff; McMahon, Lynne (2001). 'Bidgee bush : an identification guide to common native plant species of the south western slopes of New South Wales. Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory: Greening Australia. p. 82. ISBN 1-875345-61-2. 
2. ^ Kaffka, S. (2009). Can feedstock production for biofuels be sustainable in California? California Agriculture 63:4.
3. ^ Kaffka, S., et al. Bermuda Grass Yield and Quality in Response to Different Salinity and N, Se, Mo, and B Rates in West San Joaquin Valley UC Center for Water Resources.
4. ^ ^{a b c} Santosh Kumar Singh, Prashant Kumar Rai, Dolly Jaiswal, and Geeta Watal. "Evidence-based Critical Evaluation of Glycemic Potential of Cynodon dactylon". Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, May 17, 2007. Online ISSN 1741-4288, print ISSN 1741-427X. doi:10.1093/ecam/nem044.
5. ^ Dr. K. M. Nadkarni's Indian Materia Medica, Volume 1, Edited by A. K. Nadkarni, Popular Prakashan, Bombay, 1976, pp. 425-6.

External links

Media related to Cynodon dactylon at Wikimedia Commons

• Online Field guide to Common Saltmarsh Plants of Queensland
• FAO factsheet: Cynodon dactylon
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Bermuda Grass Common