Family: Poaceae

Eleusine indica (Goosegrass, manienie ali`i) is a grass native to tropical and subtropical regions. As a prolific weed, it is often considered undesirable in cultivated areas. While not commonly cultivated intentionally, it can be found in lawns, gardens, and agricultural fields. Eleusine indica has a widespread distribution and is reported to be naturalized in locations worldwide, including all main Hawaiian Islands. It is not present however on Ni’ihau and Kaho’olawe. This grass is known for its competitive nature, rapidly spreading through its prolific seed production and creating seed banks that can survive dormant more than 3 years. A point to note is that the grass can be cyanogenic or hydrogen cyanide toxic, which can be poisonous particularly to calves and sheep. Furthermore, Eleusine indica is known to develop resistance to herbicides, adding an additional layer of difficulty in its control. These characteristics contribute to its status as a troublesome and invasive weed in many regions.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability
  
• Grows, and able to spread, in regions with tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kure and Midway atolls, French Frigate Shoals, and all of the main islands except Ni'ihau and Kaho'olawe; widely naturalized elsewhere
  
• A disturbance adapted weedy grass of cultivated areas, lawns, pastures, and waste places
  
• An agricultural weed of orchards, vegetable farms, nurseries and young oil palm plantations
  
• A potential environmental weed impacting coastal vegetation
  
• Other Eleusine species are invasive weeds
  
• Potentially allelopathic
  
• Cyanogenic or hydrogen cyanide toxic, can be poisonous to stock, particularly calves and sheep
  
• Potential host of other crop pests and pathogens
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by prolific seed production
  
• Hybridizes with other Eleusine species
  
• Autogamous and self-fertilized
  
• Reaches maturity in one growing season
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind and water, as a contaminant in crop seeds and soils, and attached to animal furs, mud and machinery
  
• Viable seeds also dispersed by grazing livestock
  
• Seeds may remain viable in the soil for 3+ years
  
• Some populations develop tolerance of or resistance to herbicides
  
• Tolerates mowing and browsing

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to grazing animals, especially at younger stages of growth
  
• Thrives in sun and high light environments (dense shade may limit spread)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control (if resistance has not developed)