Family: Poaceae
Tragus berteronianus (African bur grass, small carrot seed grass) is an annual grass native to Africa and Asia. It is sometimes used for erosion control or as an animal forage or feed. It is reported to be naturalized in Mexico, the Caribbean, South America and on the islands of Oʻahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanaʻi and Kahoʻolawe. Some notable things about this plant are that it can carry mosaic plant diseases that can affect other plants, such as maize dwarf mosaic and sugarcane mosaic viruses. Its prickly seeds can also be dispersed easily by animals and on clothing. Overall, the plant is less desirable than other grasses as a forage and could impact the livestock industry negatively in the islands.
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Grows in tropical climates
- Naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, North America, the Caribbean, & several locations in South America
- A disturbance adapted weedy grass with potential negative impacts on ranching & livestock
- Other Tragus species have become invasive
- Host of maize dwarf mosaic and sugarcane mosaic viruses
- Prolific seeder (1000s/m2)
- Annual grass, reaching maturity in one growing season
- Seeds dispersed by means of hooked prickles which aid in attachment to clothing, fur, etc.
- Seeds also moved by water, wind, and as a contaminant
- Forms a persistent seed bank
Low Risk Traits:
- Palatable to grazing animals (although not a preferred forage grass)
- Non-toxic
- Requires full sun
- Not known to spread vegetatively
