Family: Poaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives, and spreads, in regions with tropical climates
- Naturalized on Kure and Midway atolls, Lisianski, Laysan, French Frigate Shoals, Nihoa, and all the main islands; naturalized elsewhere
- A disturbance-adapted grass that impacts lawns and several crops
- An environmental weed impacting native coastal vegetation and seabird habitat
- Other Cenchrus species are invasive weeds
- Possesses spiny burrs that contaminate wool, and can injure the eyes, tongue and feet of dogs and stock, including horses; also harmful and a nuisance to humans
- May be allelopathic
- Reproduces by prolific seed production
- An annual grass reaching maturity in <1 year
- Seeds easily dispersed by adhering to clothing, hair, and feathers, as well as footwear and machinery, and also dispersed by water
- Seeds may form a seed bank persisting for 1-5 years
- Tolerates mowing and grazing
Low Risk Traits:
- Palatable to, and grazed by livestock, especially when young
- Occurs primarily in sandy soils
- Thrives in high light environments (dense shade may prevent establishment and spread)
- Vegetative spread may be minimal and very localized
- Herbicides provide effective control
