Abstract: Three grasses of the genus Stenotaphrum, S. helferi, S.secundatum and S. secundatum cv. varietgatum are all shade-resistant species. The photosynthetic characteristics of the three species showed that their photosynthesis had no light inhibition under strong radiation at noon, and all presented a single apex in the diurnal variation of net photosynthetic rate. Except S. secundatum cv. varietgatum, S. helferi and S. secundatum had a higher net photosynthesis rate in 75% shading than under full light. Field observations showed that S. secundatum cv. varietgatum andS. secundatum kept their growth in the vegetative stage all the year around, while S. helferi completed its lifecycle including vegetative growth, earring, flowering and seeding within 3 months. Among the three species, S. secundatum grew best under full sunshine, whereas S. helferi grew best in the shading situation. All tested species still kept pretty good growth situation under 75% shading, and maintained evergreen in the whole year. On the whole, all the three species assumed shade-tolerant ability; among them, S. helferi had the strong shade-tolerant ability, which grew rapidly under the condition of shading, and its leaves revealed emerald color. Thereby, it was a very ideal sciophilous turfgrass.S. secundatum cv. varietgatum grew slowest but had yellow strips on its leaves and, therefore, presented beautiful scenery at any time.

Key words: Stands, Characteristics of forest crown, Interception capacity