Family: Poaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Grows, and could potentially spread, in regions with tropical climates
  
• Unconfirmed reports of naturalization (but no evidence in Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms pure stands in native range
  
• Reproduces by seeds (after many years or decades of vegetative growth)
  
• Hybridizes with other bamboo species
  
• Prolific seed production (after decades of vegetative growth)
  
• Resprouts after repeated cutting and harvesting

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of naturalization in the Hawaiian Islands, and no evidence of negative impacts where cultivated
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to animals and people
  
• Non-toxic
  
• A clumping bamboo that spreads vegetatively only locally
  
• Reaches maturity after several decades of growth
  
• Lack of flowering for much of life cycle limits potential for long distance dispersal