Family: Poaceae
Agrostis stolonifera, commonly known as creeping bent grass, is a perennial grass widely planted for turf, pasture, and erosion control. It spreads aggressively by stolons, forming dense mats that can displace other plants and alter ecosystems. In Hawaiʻi, it has naturalized on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island, showing its ability to thrive in a range of conditions from disturbed areas to wetter meadows. While its spreading nature can make it invasive, it also plays an important role in grazing systems.
Creeping bent grass is valued as forage for livestock because it remains green and palatable throughout the summer, providing a reliable food source when other grasses may decline. However, once it escapes cultivation, it can be difficult to control and may outcompete native vegetation. Its dual role as both a useful forage grass and a potential invasive highlights the importance of careful management and consideration of non-invasive alternatives in sensitive areas.
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Naturalized in areas with tropical or subtropical climates
- Widely naturalized, including on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii island
- Disturbance-adapted weed of lawns, and turf grass
- Regarded as an environmental weed in Australia
- Other Agrostis species are invasive
- Pollen can be a sever allergen
- Shade-tolerant
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms dense cover
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by stolons and fragments
- Hybridizes with other Agrostis species
- Can reach maturity in one growing season
- Seeds dispersed by wind, water, by grazers consuming seeds as they feed on the plants and as a grass seed contaminant
- Seeds can persist in the soil for 1 year
- Tolerates mowing and grazing
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Provides fodder for livestock
- Non-toxic
- Ornamental and landscaping uses
- Self-sterile
- Herbicides can provide effective control
