Zoysia macrantha

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Prickly couch
Zoysia macrantha plant (6773889714).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Chloridoideae
Genus: Zoysia
Species:
Z. macrantha
Binomial name
Zoysia macrantha

Zoysia macrantha, the prickly couch, is a type of grass.

Contents

It is a creeping perennial plant found near the coastal dunes and inland salt marsh habitats in Eastern Australia. Two subspecies are recognized, Zoysia macrantha subsp. macrantha and Zoysia macrantha subsp. walshii. [1]

Epithet

The specific epithet macrantha is derived from Greek, meaning large flower. [2] [1] [3] [4]

Distribution and Habitat

Both subspecies have partially overlaping distributions where subsp. macrantha is found from Byfield in Central Queensland down to Eastern and South Victoria. Subsp. walshii occurs from Eastern Victoria to Eastern South Australia, and Tasmania. [5]

Zoysia macrantha subsp. macrantha can be found growing in coastal foredunes, littoral areas such as mangrove creeks, salt marshes, tidal estuaries, rocky headlands, and lagoons. During erosion events rhizomes may become buried of depths up to 20cm and recover and regrow. It is often found growing behind Spinifex sericeus and with Casaurina equisetifolia , Pandanus tectorius , Banksia integrifolia , livistona australis , Ipomoea pes-caprae , scaevola calendulacea , and Carpobrotus glaucescens all of which assist in dune stabilisation. It is also often found growing with Sporobolus virginicus and Paspalum vaginatum . [5]


Uses

Agriculture

It is palatable by livestock and its density increases with grazing. [5]

No mow lawn

It is used a low maintenance lawn. [5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Zoysia macrantha". PlantNET - NSW Flora Online. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  2. ↑ "Zoysia macrantha". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
  3. ↑ "Zoysia macrantha". Flora of Victoria. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  4. ↑ Les Robinson – Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, ISBN   978-0-7318-1211-0 page 409
  5. 1 2 3 4 McMaugh, Peter E.; Loch, Donald S.; Harrison, Peter G. (2017). "Occurrence, Distribution, and Introduction of Zoysia spp. and their Management and Current Use in Australia" . International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 13 (1): 26–39. doi:10.2134/itsrj2016.10.0853.


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