Wintergreen - Turf Grass

Scientific name:

Cynodon dactylon

Other names:

Species common names

Green couch (Australia); Bermudagrass (USA)

Cultivar name:

Wintergreen

Origin:

Originated from a bowling green at Nyngan, New South Wales. Selected from an extensive collection of Cynodon dactylon clones made during the 1970s by the Australian Turf Research Institute (ATRI) as part of a long-term selection program. Evaluated by ATRI and Qualturf over the six-year period prior to release in 1983-84. Breeder: Peter McMaugh, Sydney.

Global growing areas:

Australia (widely used by the Australian turf industry for over 20 years; available from most turf sod producers).

IP protection:

None. Release pre-dates introduction of PBR in Australia under the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987. US Plant Patent PP6,278 (application lodged 3 February 1986; granted 6 September 1988) expired as more than 20 years from date of application.

Details

• Texture: Fine.
• Description: Bright emerald green leaves. Leaf length (fourth internode) is 5-11 mm. Leaf width (fourth internode) is 1.9-2.6 mm. (Data from ´Winter Gem´ PBR growing trial.)
• Use: Sportsfields, domestic and commercial lawns, parks, golf course fairways and general landscaping.
• Mowing height: Best at 15-25 mm. Down to 6 mm (with a cylinder mower).
• Method of propagation: Vegetative sod, sprigging.
• Preferred soil types: Sandy to clay loams (pH 6-8) maintained with good nitrogen fertility (as per other Cynodon dactylon cultivars).

Comments:

One of the two Australian industry standard cultivars widely sold as a ‘cheap and green’ commodity. Uncontrolled commercial multiplication for more than 20 years has resulted in wide genetic variation within and between commercial sources of Wintergreen.

Tolerances:

• Heat: Good
• Cold: Maintains good turf quality during winter from southern Queensland to Victoria. Top growth killed by heavy frosts. Good winter colour retention under light frosts.
• Shade: Poor. Best in full sun like all Cynodon dactylon genotypes. Requires a minimum of 70% full sunlight to avoid loss of sward density.
• Drought: Good tolerance of dry conditions.
• Salinity: Low-moderate salinity tolerance. Among the least salt-tolerant of the green couch cultivars tested to date.
• Wear: Fair. Less tolerant of wear than other green couch cultivars like Grand Prix, Legend and Conquest.
• Herbicide sensitivity: DSMA and MSMA can be used to remove other grasses. A wide range of herbicides can be safely used to remove broadleaf weeds. Use only registered herbicides in accordance with the label.
• Pests and diseases: Lawn grubs (army worm, sod webworm) during summer and autumn.

Photos used on this page are not necessarily photos from DEEDI

For more information and updates on warm season turfgrasses, their production and management please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/turf

For updates on Wintergreen please go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_4205.htm