Family: Poaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Melica transsilvanica (red spire) is a perennial bunchgrass native to a broad region extending from Europe through Central Asia to Mongolia and Iran. This ornamental grass is valued for its upright growth habit, fine-textured foliage, and airy reddish-purple flower spikes that appear in summer. It is commonly planted in gardens and landscape settings for texture, movement, and drought tolerance, and is often used in borders, naturalistic plantings, and dry garden designs. Like many ornamental grasses, it is appreciated for its adaptability and relatively low maintenance requirements.

Risks & Threats
Although Melica transsilvanica is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses traits that are cause for concern in tropical island ecosystems. Grasses introduced outside their native ranges can spread into disturbed areas, compete with native vegetation, and alter ecosystem processes such as fire frequency and nutrient cycling. Species that produce abundant seed and tolerate a range of environmental conditions may become difficult to manage once established. Because Hawai‘i’s native ecosystems are especially vulnerable to invasive plants, precaution is warranted when introducing non-native grasses with invasive potential. When suitable, choosing a low risk or native alternative is recommended to help protect island biodiversity and reduce the risk of future invasive plant problems.

High Risk Traits:

• Environmental versatility (USDA Zones 5b-9a)
  
• History of repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Congeneric weeds exist (e.g., M. macra, M. ciliata)
  
• Tolerates wide range of soil conditions
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Hybridizes naturally
  
• Self-compatible / high inbreeding
  
• Reproduces by vegetative fragmentation (rhizomes)
  
• Minimum generative time = 1 year
  
• Propagules dispersed intentionally by people (ornamental)
  
• Propagules adapted to wind dispersal
  
• Propagules dispersed externally by animals (hairy seeds)

Low Risk Traits:

• Native range lacks tropical/subtropical climates
  
• Not naturalized outside native range (no documented records)
  
• No evidence of weediness (garden, agricultural, or environmental)
  
• No spines, thorns, burrs
  
• Not shade tolerant (requires full sun)
  
• Not dispersed by water, birds, or animal gut passage