Family: Poaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Able to grow in regions with tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai (Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Reported as a weed of rice and other crops in Asia (impacts unspecified)
  
• Pollen may be an allergen to susceptible individuals
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense cover that can choke out other vegetation
  
• Reproduces by seeds (some cultivars may be sterile) and vegetatively by rhizomes
  
• Hybridizes with Zoysia sinica
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Grazing animals may disperse seeds; intentionally cultivated as a turf grass
  
• Tolerates mowing and grazing

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite reports of weediness, no detrimental impacts have been quantified.
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Provides forage for grazing animals
  
• Valued lawn grass
  
• Propagated vegetatively. Seed production in cultivation may be limited, and minimize risk of long-distance dispersal (esp. for some cultivars)