Family: Poaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability
  
• Able to grow in regions with tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in the continental United States
  
• Aggressive, weedy grass with potential environmental impacts
  
• Other Saccharum species are invasive
  
• Older plants unpalatable
  
• Potential fire hazard
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense stands
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by stem and rhizome fragments
  
• Self-seeds
  
• Reaches maturity in under 2 years
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, water and intentionally by people
  
• Prolific seed production in some situations
  
• Seeds may form a persistent seed bank
  
• Tolerates and resprouts after cutting and fire

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to grazing animals when young
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental
  
• Thrives in full sun (dense shade may limit ability to spread)