Family: Poaceae

Oplismenus hirtellus (honohono, basket grass) is a grass native to the Southeastern United States. It is sometimes used as a groundcover for shady areas. Some of the more colorful forms are popular in hanging baskets. This grass was first recorded in Hawaiʻi in 1819, and since has become widely naturalized in the islands. However, its dominance in shaded areas allows it to invade the understory of native forests, where it competes with native plants by smothering them. It spreads quickly due to its sticky seeds and its ability to reproduce by rhizomes. These factors give the plant invasive qualities.

High Risk Traits:

• Grows, and able to spread, in regions with tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on main Hawaiian Islands, and elsewhere
  
• A weed of lawns, pastures, crops, and the natural environment
  
• Competes with and threatens native plants in the Hawaiian Islands
  
• Other species are invasive
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Can form a smothering, dense ground cover
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by stolons
  
• Reaches maturity in <1 year
  
• Seeds dispersed externally by sticking to clothing, fur, feathers or equipment
  
• Prolific seed production
  
• Seeds may persist in the soil for 2+ years

Low Risk Traits:

• Valued as a shade-tolerant grass in some situations
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to grazing animals, although may not be a preferred forage
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Herbicides provide effective control
  
• Can be controlled mechanically, and killed by fires