Turffiles:Turfgrasses:Zoysiagrass

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Zoysiagrass

[Zoysia spp.]

Zoysiagrass is a warm-season grass that spreads by rhizomes and stolons to produce a very dense, wear-resistant turf. It is best adapted to the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of North Carolina, but some of the more cold tolerant cultivars can be grown in the western part of the state as well. There are three major species of zoysiagrass suitable for turf including Japanese lawngrass (Z. japonica), mascarenegrass (Z. tenuifolia), and manilagrass (Z. matrella). Zoysiagrass can often be confused with bermudagrass. However, zoysiagrass has hairs standing upright on the leaf blade whereas bermudagrass does not. Zoysiagrass is also stiff to the touch and offers more resistance than bermudagrass.

Characteristic	Description
Seedhead / Flower	seedhead a spikelet, with seeds alternating along head
Vernation Type	leaves rolled in the bud
Ligule Type	short fringe of hairs, 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) long
Growth Season / Life Cycle	warm season turf
Auricle Type	absent
Leaf Blade Tip Shape	sharp-pointed; hairy above with at least a few long hairs near base, leaf blade stiff
Leaf Blade Width	0.08 - 0.16 inches (2 - 4 mm) wide
Stolon Presence	present; strong
Rhizome Presence	present
Collar Type	continuous; edges hairy
Sheath Margin	split with overlapping margins; sheath may have tuft of hairs at throat
Sheath Type	round to slightly flattened


zoysiagrass rolled vernation	zoysiagrass ligule

Note: Still not sure this is the right turfgrass? The Turf & Weed Identification Decision Aid may help. Check the TurfFiles glossary for definitions of unfamiliar terms.

Need help in selecting the best turfgrass for your particular situation? The Turf/Cultivar Selection Decision Aid will help you sort through the options which are available. For more information on turfgrass/cultivar selection, establishing a new lawn, caring for a new lawn, or renovating a lawn, see AG-69, Carolina Lawns. For management information, check the maintenance calendar.

Diseases Which May Affect This Turfgrass

dollar spot
fairy ring
large patch
Pythium root rot
rust
slime mold
spring dead spot
yellow tuft

© North Carolina State University. This information sheet was prepared by Arthur H. Bruneau, Bridget R. Lassiter, Gail G. Wilkerson, Emily J. Erickson, Casey Reynolds, Jenifer J. Reynolds, and Gregory S. Buol. Department of Crop Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, North Carolina State University. Prepared April 29, 2008. Available on-line at www.turffiles.ncsu.edu. This publication was made possible through a grant provided by the Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research & Education (CENTERE) whose purpose is to support worthwhile projects that will benefit both the private sector and the public, and protect the environment.

KEYWORDS FOUND IN THIS ARTICLE:

cultivar

variety

warm season

zoysiagrass

ZOYSIAGRASS