Family: Poaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad elevation range (sea level to 2000 m)
  
• Grows and spreads in regions with tropical climates
  
• Naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics (but not in the Hawaiian Islands to date)
  
• Identified as an aggressive, weedy grass that may become a weed in cropping systems and could interfere with woody plant regeneration in pastures
  
• A potential environmental weed
  
• Other Cynodon species have become invasive
  
• May produce cyanogenic glycoside at certain stages of growth, resulting in potential poisoning to livestock
  
• Can modify fire regime and increase fire risk
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense, monospecific swards that could inhibit other vegetation
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by stolons
  
• Seeds dispersed as a contaminant in machinery and adhered to human clothes and animal fur, and intentionally by people
  
• Tolerates grazing and fire

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Valued as forage grass for livestock
  
• Relatively shade-intolerant (dense shade or cover may inhibit spread)
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control