Family: Poaceae
Digitaria eriantha (digit grass, pangola grass) is a grass that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. It is originally native to Africa. Livestock find Digitaria eriantha highly palatable, and it is recognized for its excellence in promoting both beef and milk production. In traditional medicine, Digitaria eriantha is utilized for inducing labor and treating external sores and wounds. It is widely naturalized globally, including on the islands of Kauai, Oʻahu, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi. Digitaria eriantha, or Pangola grass, can become invasive due to its rapid growth, adaptability to various environments, high reproductive capacity, resistance to fire and grazing, and potential lack of natural controls. It also is highly flammable, posing an additional risk with the current increase of wildfires in Hawaiʻi.
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
