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Cynodon dactylon

Cynodon dactylon

7.5
A tough grass that people use for lawns and pastures in warm places
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪnədən ˈdæktɪlɒn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cynodon dactylon
  • The lawn was lush and green because it was planted with Cynodon dactylon.

Examples

  • The ground is densely covered by Imperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, and Distichlis spicata.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The dominant plants in all three habitats were Acacia modesta and Cynodon dactylon.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Farmers often choose Cynodon dactylon for pastures due to its drought resistance.

  • Many homeowners prefer Cynodon dactylon for their yards as it withstands heat well.

Synonyms

doob
vsCynodon dactylon
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A soft grass that grows close to the ground and people use for lawns and pasture in warm places

is the scientific species label rather than an informal regional name
Bermuda grass
vsCynodon dactylon
1 3.8

A grass that grows along the ground and is used for lawns and fields for animals

is the formal scientific species name for the same grass
scutch grass
vsCynodon dactylon
7.7

A grass that spreads quickly and forms a thick cover for lawns or pastures

refers to the same species but in scientific terms rather than common usage
Bahama grass
vsCynodon dactylon
  • US
5.1

A grass used for lawns and animal feed in warm places

names the same species more formally and broadly rather than a regional term
kweek
vsCynodon dactylon
  • US
9.9

A spreading grass often used for lawns and for animals to eat

is the species' scientific identification rather than a vernacular label
devil grass
vsCynodon dactylon
  • UK
8.0

A strong plant that spreads quickly and is used for lawns and pastures in warm places

is the precise species name used in scientific or formal contexts

Surface Forms

Morphology

Cynodon + dactylon

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name rather than a compositional English phrase. Even if a learner knew 'Cynodon' means a type of grass, 'dactylon' is not an English word and the species-level meaning depends on taxonomic convention unfamiliar to a B1 learner, so they might infer it's some kind of grass but not the specific common name or precise meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Cynodon dactylon may come from old Greek words meaning 'dog' and 'finger'. One popular story says people called the sharp, tooth-like blades Cynodon ('dog-tooth') and the way the grass sends out spreading stems dactylon ('finger'), so the name paints a picture of how this grass looks and grows.