Alias: Manila Knotweed, Gully Leaf Knotweed, Semi-fine Leaf Knotweed

Family: Gramineae

Genus: Zoysia matrella

Manilagrass is a genus of Knotweed, also known as Gully Leaf Knotweed, and is referred to in Japan as "Shiba I Knotweed" or "Semi-fine Leaf Knotweed", because it is called Manilagrass in Europe and America, so it is named Manilagrass.

Manila grass is also known as Gully Leaf Knotweed, and in Japan it is called "Kochia Type I Knotweed" or "Semi-fine Leaf Knotweed", and in Europe and the United States it is known as Manilagrass.

Origin and distribution:

Widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia and Australia, wild in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, etc. It was introduced into China in 1981.

Morphological characters:

The plant is a perennial herb with transverse rhizomes and stolons, weak culms, 12-20 cm tall. The leaf blades are of the semi-fine-leaved type in the genus Knotweed, with a width between that of Knotweed and fine-leaved Knotweed, stiff, flattened or involute, with longitudinal grooves on the upper surfaces, 3-4 centimeters long and 1.5-2.5 millimeters wide. Racemes, short. Caryopsis ovate.

Manila grass belongs to the semi-fine-leaved type in the genus Knotweed, and the width of the leaf is between that of Knotweed and fine-leaved Knotweed. The width of the leaf blade is about 2 millimeters. Racemes, short. Compared with the fine-leaved knotweed cultivated in China, it is slightly hardy, drought-resistant, and tolerant of barrenness. Grass layer dense, slightly resistant to trampling, rhizome base erect, with a certain degree of toughness and elasticity. Grass color green, less pests and diseases, strong tillering ability, coverage, high ornamental value, cultivated in deep fertile, well-drained soil, rapid growth, into the lawn faster. Grass layer dense and no tufted bun-shaped protuberances, and has a strong spread of encroachment and competition, so the weed damage is relatively reduced, easy to maintain and manage; flower and fruit branches and spikes sparse, seed maturity and easy to fall off, it is difficult to harvest to the right amount of seeds available for reproduction.

Growth habit:

Like warm, moist environment. Strong growth potential and expansion, dense grass layer, strong tillering, large coverage. Slightly hardier than fine-leaved knotweed (velvet grass Z. pacifica), less pests and diseases, slightly resistant to trampling. Resistant to drought and barrenness. Suitable for growing in deep, fertile, well-drained soil.

Garden use:

Manila grass grows slowly, high ornamental value.

Species and cultivation:

Cuttings and divisions. Maintenance management is rough, competitive with weeds, less pruning, less maintenance costs. Improved Manila grass varieties such as Cashmere. Available seed direct seeding method to build lawn, but now more is divided planting or laying turf method to build lawn. The surface of the lawn should be leveled to prevent waterlogging, otherwise it will affect the growth of Manila grass. Attention should be paid to grass cutting during the growing season. After the lawn is built, due to the dense layer of manila grass, so that the soil surface felt, affecting water permeability and air permeability. Can puncture holes to increase air circulation in the soil surface layer. Can also cut off the old roots, prompting its renewal. Manila grass can be widely used for paving courtyard green space, public **** green space, is also a good solid soil slope protection material.