Family: Poaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Widely naturalized
  
• Environmental weed (reduces biodiversity)
  
• Other Cenchrus species have become invasive
  
• Potentially allelopathic
  
• Possibly allergenic to susceptible people
  
• Increases fire risk in natural environment
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense mats and ground cover
  
• Produces seeds apomictically
  
• Able to reach maturity in one growing season
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, through attachment to animals and equipment and intentionally by people
  
• Seeds forms a persistent seed bank
  
• Tolerates grazing, mowing and fire

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Palatable to grazing animals
  
• Relatively Shade-intolerant
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control