Zoysia Explained

Zoysia (;^[1], -, -, -^[1]) is a genus of creeping grasses widespread across much of Asia and Australia, as well as various islands in the Pacific. These species, commonly called zoysia or zoysiagrass, are found in coastal areas or grasslands.^[2] It is a popular choice for fairways and teeing areas at golf courses. The genus is named after the Slovenian botanist Karl von Zois (1756–1799).^{[3] [4]}

Species

Source^{[5] [6]}

• Zoysia × forbesiana Traub - Japan - (Z. japonica × Z. matrella)
• Zoysia × hondana Ohwi - Japan - (Z. japonica × Z. macrostachya)
• Zoysia japonica Steud. - zenith zoysia, Korean lawngrass^[7] - Japan (incl Bonin Is), Korea, China, Primorye; naturalized in India, North America, etc.
• Zoysia macrantha Desv. - Australia
• Zoysia macrostachya, eastern america, Ryukyu Is
• Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr. - Southeast Asia, Japan, China, Indian Subcontinent, New Guinea, Queensland, Micronesia; naturalized in parts of Africa, North and South America, and assorted oceanic islands
• Zoysia minima (Colenso) Zotov - New Zealand
• Zoysia pauciflora Mez - North Island of New Zealand
• Zoysia seslerioides (Balansa) Clayton & F.R.Richardson - Vietnam
• Zoysia sinica Hance Japan, Korea, eastern China, Ryukyu Is
• Zoysia tenuifolia Thiele - mascarene grass, Korean velvet grass^[8]

Cultivation and uses

Because they can tolerate wide variations in temperature, sunlight, and water, zoysia are widely used for lawns in temperate climates. They are used on golf courses to create fairways and teeing grounds. Zoysia grasses stop erosion on slopes, and are excellent at repelling weeds throughout the year.^[9] They resist disease and hold up well under traffic.^[10]

The cultivar Zoysia 'Emerald' (Emerald Zoysia), a hybrid between Z. japonica and Z. tenuifolia,^[11] is particularly popular.

Some types of zoysia are available commercially as sod in some areas. In typical savanna climates with warm wet and dry seasons, such as southern Florida, zoysia grasses grow during the warm-wet summer and are dormant in the drier, cooler winter months. They are popular because of their fine texture, soft feel, and low growth habit. They can form dense mats and even mounds that grow over low features. In contrast to St. Augustine grass, they generally require less fertilization and are less vulnerable to insect and fungus damage, depending on environmental conditions. Zoysia is a native of Japan and Korea, which makes a cushion-like surface or turf. Its water requirement is high. It grows slowly and frequent mowing is not required. For best appearance, turf experts recommend reel blade mowers for zoysia.

Notes and References

1. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/zoysia "Zoysia."
2. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=135364 Flora of China Vol. 22 Page 496 结缕草属 jie lü cao shu Zoysia Willdenow, Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin Neue Schriften. 3: 440. 1801
3. Willdenow, Carl Ludwig von. 1801. Der Gesellsschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin, neue Schriften 3: 440–441
4. http://www.tropicos.org/Name/40028869 Tropicos, Zoysia Willd.
5. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=450637 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
6. Web site: GRIN Species Records of Zoysia . Germplasm Resources Information Network . United States Department of Agriculture . 2011-03-03.
7. Book: English Names for Korean Native Plants. Korea National Arboretum. 2015. 978-89-97450-98-5. Pocheon. 685. 8 December 2016. Korea Forest Service.
8. Web site: Korean velvet grass. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Encyclopædia Britannica. 15 April 2017.
9. Richardson, K. Zoysia Grass Types Earn Mixed Reviews. All About Lawns. December 2, 2008.
10. Web site: Lawn Lovers Profile: Zoysia Grass . Green Solutions . 15 November 2013 . 30 August 2014.
11. Web site: Zoysiagrass . R. L. . Duble . Texas Cooperative Extension.