Family: Poaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Widely naturalizing, including the Hawaiian Islands of Kauai, Oahu, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii
- Considered an environmental weed in Queensland, Australia,
- Other Digitaria species have become invasive
- High flammability (may increase fire risk in arid, fire prone habitats)
- Forms dense stands in Australia, excluding other vegetation
- Tolerates many soil types
- Spreads vegetatively
- Tolerates grazing and fire
Low Risk Traits:
- Not reported to be a seriously invasive or habitat-modifying weed in the Hawaiian Islands
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Palatable, and provides valuable forage for livestock
- Shade-intolerant
- Does not produce seeds
- Lack of seed production could limit potential to disperse accidentally
- Impacts of Two-lined Spittlebug (TLSB) in Hawaii will likely reduce pangola grass cover and minimize risk of invasiveness where TLSB is present