Family: Poaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands), Sri Lanka and probably elsewhere
  
• A disturbance and pasture weed, forming pure stands that may reduce productivity
  
• Hawaii State noxious weed
  
• Other Themeda species are invasive
  
• Forms pure stands
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Seeds dispersed inadvertently in heavily trafficked areas, as a contaminant, by water and sometimes intentionally cultivated by people
  
• Resprouts after mowing and grazing

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed, but with irritating awns
  
• Young growth palatable to grazing animals
  
• Non-toxic, and young shoots edible to people
  
• Herbicides provide effective control