Family: Poaceae

Chloris barbata, commonly known as swollen fingergrass, is a small, fast-growing grass native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia. It is easily recognized by its low, tufted growth and distinctive finger-like seed heads that spread out from a central point. Swollen fingergrass often appears in disturbed areas such as roadsides, lawns, agricultural fields, and construction sites. While it has little ornamental or agricultural value, it can sometimes be unintentionally spread through soil movement, contaminated seed mixes, or foot and vehicle traffic.

In Hawaiʻi, swollen fingergrass is considered a weedy species and poses ecological and management concerns. It spreads readily by seed, tolerates a wide range of conditions, and can quickly colonize open or disturbed ground, where it competes with native plants and desirable vegetation. Its ability to form dense patches makes it difficult to control once established, particularly in dry or degraded habitats. Continued spread of this grass can contribute to habitat degradation and increased maintenance costs, highlighting the importance of early detection, prevention, and choosing non-invasive or native alternatives for landscaping and restoration

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Widely naturalized
  
• Disturbance weed
  
• An agricultural weed
  
• Related Chloris species have become invasive
  
• Potentially allelopathic
  
• Loses palatability when older
  
• Host of a number of rice insect pests and diseases
  
• Annual (reaches maturity in one growing season)
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, birds and people (through external adhesion)
  
• Capable of spreading vegetatively by rooting at lower nodes
  
• Can produce large numbers of seeds

Low Risk Traits:

• Requires full sun
  
• New growth palatable to animals
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control