zoysia

Zoysia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Poales Family: Poaceae Genus: Zoysia Willd.
Species
See text

Zoysia is a genus of eight species of creeping grasses native to southeastern and eastern Asia (north to China and Japan) and Australasia. These species, commonly called zoysia or zoysiagrass, are found in coastal areas or grasslands. The genus is named after the Austrian botanist Karl von Zois.

Species

• Zoysia japonica
• Zoysia macrantha
• Zoysia macrostachya
• Zoysia matrella
• Zoysia minima
• Zoysia pauciflora
• Zoysia pungens (syn. Z. tenuifolia)
• Zoysia sinica
• Zoysia tenuifolia

Cultivation and uses

Because of their great capacity of tolerating temperature variations, shade, or water scarcity, these grasses are among the most widely used for lawns in warm temperate climates. They are used on golf courses to create fairways and teeing areas. These grasses are also very disease resistant and traffic tolerant. The cultivar Zoysia 'Emerald' (Emerald Zoysia; a hybrid between Z. japonica and Z. matrella) is particularly popular.

References

• Kew checklist of Grasses (see Poaceae page for details)
• Zoysia Willd.. Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.

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