Zoysiagrass Variety Lineage: Scientific Names, Origins, and Release History

Dr. Tim Bowyer (Patten Seed) compiled this reference table to untangle zoysia taxonomy and cultivar history.

Scientific Name	Common Name	Commercial Name	Description	Released By	Date
Zoysia japonica	Japanese/Korean lawngrass	Meyer	Seed from N. Korea (1930); vegetative only; tough, wear-resistant	USDA/ARS, USGA	1951
Z. japonica	–	Z-93	Single plant selection from Meyer seedlings	Purdue Univ.	1963
Z. japonica	–	Zenith	3-way hybrid F1 seed; seed + veg propagation	Patten Seed	1995
Z. japonica	–	Compadre (Companion)	2-way hybrid F1 seed; seed + veg propagation	Patten Seed	1995
Zoysia matrella	Manilagrass	–	From Vinall 1927; vegetative only	AL Ag Exp Station	–
Zoysia tenuifolia	Mascarene/Korean Velvet Grass	–	Not mowed; mounding; Caribbean/Japan origin	Guam Ag Exp Station	–
Z. japonica × Z. tenuifolia	Emerald	–	F1 hybrid; veg only; fine texture	GA Exp Station, Tifton	1955

Zoysia lawn

Lawn Care: Organic Zoysia Weed Control: Dichondra, Nutsedge, Wild Onion; Identifying a Heirloom Apple Tree: Seed Savers Exchange and Propagation; Identifying Zoysia Grass and Sourcing Sod in New York; Meyer Zoysia Grass Seed: Cold-Hardy Beauty for Sun-Drenched Lawns; Late August Too Late for Zoysia Seed: Use Ryegrass Nurse Crop; Finding the Best Tall Fescue Variety: NTEP Data vs. Marketing; Zoysia Grass Species and Varieties: A Complete Guide; Using Roundup on Zoysiagrass: Why It's Risky and Off-Label; Establishing Zoysiagrass from Seed: Challenges and Step-by-Step Guide; BK-7 Zoysiagrass: What We Know (and Don't Know) About This Variety

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