Zoysiagrass is an excellent lawn grass for Georgia but there is much confusion over the different varieties. Dr. Tim Bowyer, with Patten Seed, made a reference table for me to sort out the lineage of the different zoysia varieties.
| Scientific name | Common name | Commercial name | Description | Released by | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoysia japonica, aka Z Korei (sp?) | Japanese lawngrass, Korean lawngrass, Korean Temple Grass | Meyer | Seed introduced in 1930 from northern Korea – in the US since 1895 – tough wear resistant turf – vegetative propagation only | National Plant Materials Center USDA/ARS and USGA Green Section. Named Meyer in honor of Plant Explorer Frank N. Meyer | 1951 |
| Midwest | Source prodigy of 40 poly cross F1 selection. Vegetative propagation only. | Selected at Purdue U, W. Lafayette, IN, by Bill Daniel. | 1963 | ||
| Z-93 | Single plant selection from plants grown from seed of Meyer | National Plant Materials Center - USDA/ARS and USGA Green Section. | 1952 | ||
| Zenith | Hybrid F1 seed of 3 way field cross. Propagated by seed and vegetative material. | Patten Seed Company – Jack Murray collection | 1995 | ||
| Compadre – Companion | Hybrid F1 seed of 2 way field cross. Propagated by seed and vegetative material | Patten Seed Company – Jack Murray collection | 1995 | ||
| Zoysia matrella Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr. var. pacifica Gouds | Manilagrass | ‘from H.N. Vinall in 1927, F.C. 13521 obtained originally from J.B. Norton, Hartsville, SC, probably selection from S.P.I. No. 48574 Vegetative propagation only. | ‘from H.N. Vinall in 1927, F.C. 13521 obtained originally from J.B. Norton, Hartsville, SC, probably selection from S.P.I. No. 48574 Vegetative propagation only. | Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station | Not given |
| Zoysia tenuifolia | Mascarenegrass, Korean Velvet Grass, Snake grass | Common zoysia tenuifolia | Generally not mowed and left to grow free form – grass mounding forming void areas under the grass or tunnels. Often found in the Caribbean basin but not originating from there. Native of Kyushu - Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Named in 1834-1836.Vegetative propagation only. | Agricultural Experiment Station Guam | Not given |
| Zoysia japonica X Zoysia tenuifolia | Emerald | Vegetatively propagated F1 selection of field cross including tenuifolia, and Meyer Z japonica. Vegetative propagation only. | Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station, Tifton, GA and Plant Science Research Division, ARS and USGA | 1955 |
zoysia lawn
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