Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Poales Small
Family
Gramineae Juss.
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Zoysia Willd. (1801)
Synonymy:
  • = Matrella Pers., Syn. Pl. [Persoon] 1, 73 (1805)
  • = Osterdamia Neck. ex Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2, 781 (1891) nom. illeg.
Vernacular Name(s):
Zoysia
 Description

Perennials with extensive monopodial rhizomes. Culms few noded. Leaves distichous. Ligule ciliate; collar distinct, ± long-ciliate with cushion-based hairs. Leaf-blade linear to linear-lanceolate, tapering. Inflorescence a cylindrical raceme or a solitary terminal spikelet. Spikelets 1-flowered, disarticulating above pedicels and falling entire at maturity. Lower glume usually 0, occasionally present as small bract, very rarely complete; upper laterally compressed, enfolding floret, indurated, ± awned. Lemma entire, firmly membranous, 1-nerved. Palea nerveless. Lodicules 0. Stamens 3. Ovary glabrous; styles 2; stigmas long, emerging apically. Caryopsis elliptic, laterally compressed; embryo c. ½ length of caryopsis, pericarp free.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
Number of species in New Zealand within Zoysia Willd.
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Endemic)2
Total2
 Bibliography
Kuntze, C.E.O. 1891: Revisio Generum Plantarum. Vol. 2. Arthur Felix, Leipzig.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Persoon, C.H. 1805: Synopsis plantarum, seu enchiridium botanicum, complectens enumerationem systematicam specierum hucusque cognitarum. Vol. 1. Cramerum et Tubingæ, Paris.
Zotov, V. D. 1971: Zoysia Willd. (Gramineae) in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 9: 639–644.