Plant · GBIF taxon 7226905
Manila Grass
Zoysia matrella matrellaAlso known as Manila Temple Grass, Siglap Grass, Manilagrass
Manila grass forms dense, velvety carpets across coastal shores and manicured lawns throughout tropical and subtropical regions. Spreading through an interconnected network of rhizomes and surface stolons, it chokes out weeds and withstands heavy foot traffic with remarkable resilience. High salt tolerance allows it to thrive along ocean fronts where salt spray would wither less hardy turfgrasses.
TurfgrassSalt-tolerantPerennial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil nutrients
Predators
- Mole crickets
- Chinch bugs
- Armyworms
ThreatsExtended sub-zero temperatures, fungal pathogens like brown patch
HabitatsCoastal dunes, tropical shores, manicured lawns, golf courses
Life spanPerennial (indefinite clone life)
Classification
- FamilyPoaceae
- SpeciesZoysia matrella matrella
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for narrow, stiff, sharply pointed leaf blades growing close to the soil.
- Cultivation: Requires less frequent mowing than other warm-season turfgrasses due to slow growth.
- Coastal Planting: Use on coastal slopes to anchor soil against wind and wave erosion.
Competitor (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) WATANABE Hitoshi 渡辺仁, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
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