Briza subaristata Lam., Poaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Briza stricta (Hook. & Arn.) Steud.; Briza subaristata var. interrupta (Hack. ex Stuck.) Roseng. et al.; Briza triloba Nees; Chascolytrum subaristatum (Lam.) Desv.

Habit:  grass

Description:  "Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 30-60 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5-3 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 6-25 cm long; 1.5-4 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib scarcely raised beneath. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; glabrous. Inflorescence a panicle. Panicle open, or contracted; lanceolate, or elliptic; 2.5-15 cm long. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 2-7 mm long; pubescent. Fertile spikelets: Spikelets comprising 6-11 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets orbicular; laterally compressed; 3.5-5.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.1-0.4 mm long. Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume orbicular; 1.5-3.1 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3-7 -veined. Lower glume surface puberulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume orbicular; 1.5-3.3 mm long; 0.66-0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume apex acute. Florets: Fertile lemma oblate; auriculate at base; 1.8-5 mm long; 1.8-5 mm wide; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; mid-green; keeled; winged on margins; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 0.5-1 mm long overall. Palea orbicular; 1-2.5 mm long; coriaceous; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped. Flower: Lodicules 2; cuneate; 0.3-0.6 mm long; membranous; truncate. Anthers 1; 0.8-1.1 mm long. Ovary glabrous. Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; orbicular; 1-1.5 mm long. Hilum punctiform"  (GrassBase).

Habitat/ecology:  In Australia, "grows in long-established low-fertile soils but not disturbed pastures"  (New South Wales PlantNET).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Southern South America (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Island)	introduced invasive	Atkinson, Rachel/Sawyer, John (2011)
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Island)	introduced invasive	Danton, Philippe/Perrier, Christophe/Martinez Reyes, Guido (2006) (p. 551)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	New South Wales	introduced invasive	National Herbarium of New South Wales (2013) "Grows in long-established low-fertile soils but not disturbed pastures".
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Chile (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Briza subaristata, please let us know.