Family: Poaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Miscanthus floridulus (giant miscanthus) is a robust perennial grass native to Indo-China, southern China, Japan, and parts of the Pacific. It forms tall, bamboo-like clumps that can grow several meters high, with long, arching leaves and feathery flower plumes. Because of its vigorous growth and tolerance of a wide range of conditions, it has been used in some regions for ornamental landscaping, erosion control, and fiber or biomass production.

Risks & Threats
In Hawaiʻi, this species is naturalized on Oʻahu and continues to spread in suitable habitats. It possesses traits that are cause for concern, including rapid growth, dense clump formation, and effective spread that can allow it to outcompete native plants. By forming thick stands, it can shade out native vegetation, reduce habitat quality, and alter ecosystem structure in tropical island environments. These impacts make it a potential threat to biodiversity, and it could detrimentally affect native ecosystems. When possible, choosing a low-risk or native alternative is strongly recommended for planting and restoration.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climatic suitability
  
• Naturalized in regions with tropical climates
  
• Agricultural weed of rice in SE Asia
  
• Allelopathic priperties
  
• Host of sugar cane pathogens
  
• Increases fire risk
  
• Thicket-forming
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
  
• Seeds wind-dispersed
  
• Tolerates cutting and burning

Low Risk Traits:

• Palatable to browsing animals
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value
  
• Does not form a persistent seed bank
  
• Herbicides provide effective control