Family: Poaceae

Poses a major fire threat to many of Hawaiʻi’s natural and developed areas. Currently naturalized on Hawaiʻi Island.

Description and Dispersal:

• Medium-sized clumping grass, grows up to 3 ft tall
  
• The leaf-blades are flat and light-green
  
• The feathery seed-heads are white and 2-5 in long
  
• Introduced to Big Island; native to Africa and Arabia
  
• Seeds spread far by the wind

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Widely naturalized, included Hawaii Island
  
• A roadside and disturbance weed
  
• An agricultural weed that invades pastures and reduces forage
  
• Potential environmental weed
  
• Other Cenchrus (Pennisetum) species are invasive
  
• Unpalatable at older stages of growth
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense stands
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes
  
• Able to reach maturity in one growing season
  
• Seeds dispersed by sticking to clothing, fur, mud on vehicles and equipment, wind, water, intentionally by people and by dumped garden waste and rhizome fragments
  
• Resprouts after cutting and fire

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Palatable when young
  
• Ornamental
  
• Prefers full sun and high light environments
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control