Rhizomes deep on stems 10-30 cm tall. Leaf blades to 10 cm long, inrolled at first, often sharp-pointed. Ligule minute. Inflorescence spike-like, 1.5-4 cm long. Spikelets shortly stalked, 3-5 mm long.
Grows naturally in saltmarshes and coastal areas and is used as a natural turf in coastal areas.
Z. japonica Steud., Japanese Lawn Grass, native to China, Japan and SE Asia is a sod-forming perennial spreading from deeper rhizomes and stolons and with flat leaves to 15 cm or so long. Used on home lawns, golf course fairways and sports fields.
Z. tenuifolia Trin., Korean Velvet Grass, from the Far East is a sod-forming perennial grass with both stolons and rhizomes. Leaf rolled in bud, the blade smooth, occasionally short and threadlike, to 5 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs to 0.2 mm long. Sheath blunt at the base, round and tapering at the point. Inflorescence a short, terminal spike-like raceme with spikelets alternating on two sides. Used on home lawns, golf course fairways and sports fields.
Source: (2005). Poaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.