African Bermudagrass: What We Know About This Lesser-Known Grass Variety
Meet Cynodon nlemfuensis var. robustus, commonly known as African Bermudagrass – a perennial grass that’s quite the mystery in the gardening world. While its name might sound familiar (you’ve probably heard of regular Bermudagrass), this particular variety is far less documented, making it something of an enigma for gardeners and landscapers alike.
The Basics: What Is African Bermudagrass?
African Bermudagrass belongs to the graminoid family, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a grass or grass-like plant. As a perennial, it’s designed to stick around year after year, unlike those fair-weather annual grasses that pack up and leave after one season.
This particular variety has made its way to Puerto Rico, where it’s established itself as a non-native species that reproduces on its own in the wild. It’s basically become a permanent resident that didn’t need to fill out any paperwork.
Where You’ll Find It
Currently, African Bermudagrass is documented as growing in Puerto Rico. Its journey from its native African homeland to the Caribbean represents one of those plant migration stories that happens more often than you might think.
The Challenge for Gardeners
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit frustrating): there’s surprisingly little specific information available about this particular variety of African Bermudagrass. While we know it exists and where it’s growing, details about its appearance, growing requirements, and garden performance remain largely undocumented in readily available sources.
What This Means for Your Garden
If you’re considering adding African Bermudagrass to your landscape, you’d essentially be entering uncharted territory. Without clear information about its growth habits, maintenance needs, or potential invasiveness, it’s difficult to make informed planting decisions.
Consider Native Alternatives Instead
Given the uncertainty surrounding this grass variety and its non-native status, you might want to explore native grass options for your area. Native grasses offer several advantages:
- They’re adapted to local climate and soil conditions
- They support local wildlife and ecosystems
- They typically require less maintenance once established
- Their behavior and characteristics are well-documented
The Bottom Line
African Bermudagrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis var. robustus) remains something of a botanical mystery. While it’s clearly established itself in Puerto Rico, the lack of detailed growing information makes it a risky choice for home gardeners. Until more research fills in the gaps about this grass variety, you’ll probably have better luck – and more predictable results – with well-documented native alternatives that are proven performers in your local ecosystem.
Sometimes the most responsible gardening choice is to stick with what we know works well, both for our gardens and for the environment around them.
