Family: Poaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Grows in tropical climates
  
• Started to naturalize on Oahu (Hawaiian Islands); Controlled before naturalization
  
• Disturbance-adapted, weedy grass
  
• Potential pasture weed due to relatively low palatability and ability to compete with more preferred forage grasses
  
• Other Melinis species are invasive
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• A perennial, but grows as an annual in some climates
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, birds (in nesting material) and both intentionally and unintentionally by people

Low Risk Traits:

• Not currently reported as naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to grazing animals, but palatability relatively low
  
• May grow best in full sun, high light environments (but able to grow in partial shade)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control