Family: Poaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Microlaena stipoides, commonly known as meadow ricegrass or weeping grass (synonym Ehrharta stipoides), is native to Australia and parts of New Zealand. It is a perennial, tufted grass with fine, arching leaves and delicate seed heads, giving it a graceful, weeping appearance. Valued for its adaptability, it is often used in lawns, pastures, and erosion control due to its drought tolerance and ability to establish in a variety of soils. Its low-growing habit and resilience make it popular for ornamental and functional landscaping in temperate and subtropical regions.

Risks & Threats
This species is naturalized in several Hawaiian Islands, including Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi, and is potentially naturalizing on Kauaʻi and Lanaʻi. Microlaena stipoides possesses traits such as rapid spread and tolerance of diverse habitats that are cause for concern, as it can compete with native plants and alter native ecosystems. Its presence may lead to reduced biodiversity and disruption of local habitats on tropical islands. For these reasons, it is recommended to choose low-risk or native alternatives for landscaping and restoration projects in Hawaii.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Grows in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe, and Hawaii), Reunion Island, Chile, England, and South Africa
  
• Disturbance adapted
  
• An environmental weed in the Hawaiian Islands, preventing recruitment of native plants and threatening endangered species
  
• Other Ehrharta species are invasive
  
• Increases fire hazard in native ecosystems
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Forms dense ground cover
  
• Reproduces by seed
  
• Able to self-pollinate (cleistogamous)
  
• Able to spread vegetatively with rhizomes
  
• Reaches maturity quickly (1-2 years)
  
• Seeds dispersed by attaching to clothing, fur, as a contaminant of wool, and intentionally planted
  
• A small percentage of seeds may persist in the soil for >1 year
  
• Tolerates grazing, fire and mowing
  
• No natural enemies known in the Hawaiian Islands

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Palatable to grazing animals
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Some herbicides provide effective control