Family: Poaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad natural distribution, and elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Primarily temperate distribution, but reported to occur in regions with subtropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Maui and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands), and elsewhere
  
• A disturbance adapted weed with potential impacts to agriculture, and reported to impact native vegetation in Australia and New Zealand
  
• Other Festuca species are invasive
  
• Allelopathic
  
• Some varieties contain endophytes that in high levels may be harmful to livestock
  
• A severe allergen. Pollen can cause hay fever
  
• Reported to be both shade tolerant and shade intolerant. Relatively high light levels in Hawaiian ecosystems may not be a limiting factor for establishment of this species
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Able to form dense cover that may exclude other vegetation
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes
  
• Naturally hybridizes with other grass species
  
• Seeds dispersed by machinery, as a contaminant, wind, water, internally and externally by animals, and intentionally by people
  
• Tolerates and resprouts after fire

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite potential weediness, valued as a ground cover and for erosion control
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to grazing animals
  
• Reported to be self-incompatible
  
• Does not form a persistent seed bank