Chloris radiata: info from PIER (PIER species info)

Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

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Chloris radiata
(L.) Sw., Poaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands? yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations? no

Other Latin names: Agrostis radiata L.; Chloris gracilis` P. Durand

Common name(s): [more details]

English: plush grass, radiate fingergrass, radiate windmill grass

Habit: grass

Description: "Loosely tufted annual [grass], the culms branching, up to 60 cm high; often purplish at the nodes; leaf-sheaths glabrous, up to 7.5 cm long; blade to 15 cm long and 3 mm wide. Spikes 5-15 usually 10 or more, up to 7.5 cm long, slender, silvery-purplish; rachis slightly hairy. Glumes narrow. Fertile lemma 1.5 mm long, awned; awn slender, 3-9 mm long; rudiment of 1 reduced sterile lemma with a shorter awn" (Stone, 1970; p. 195).

"Habit: Annual. Culms 30-60 cm long; without nodal roots, or rooting from lower nodes. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 10-30 cm long; 5-10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose. Leaf-blade apex acute. Inflorescence: Inflorescence composed of racemes. Racemes 5-15; digitate; simply spaced, or in several whorls; unilateral; 5-8 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile. Fertile spikelets: Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 2.8-3.3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent; obtuse. Glumes: Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.7-1.6 mm long; 0.4-0.6 times length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1-veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2-2.7 mm long; 0.7-0.8 times length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1-veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute. Florets: Fertile lemma elliptic; laterally compressed; lanceolate in profile; 2.8-3.3 mm long; cartilaginous; pallid; keeled; 3-veined. Lemma midvein eciliate. Lemma lateral veins close to margins. Lemma margins ciliolate; hairy above. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1-awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 6-13 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; lanceolate; 0.4-0.7 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas acute; awned; 1-awned. Apical sterile lemma awns subapical; 3-5 mm long; 1 per spikelet in number. Flower: Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Fruit: Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; trigonous; 1.4-1.5 mm long. Hilum punctiform" (GrassBase).

Habitat/ecology: Abandoned fields, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in mesic sites along roadsides and in disturbed areas and fields" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1515). In Guam, "abandoned fields and roadsides; often invading neglected pastures" (Stone, 1970; p. 195).

Propagation: Seed

Native range: Jamaica, the West Indies and Tropical America; widespread through introductions.

Presence:

Pacific

Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments

American Samoa
Tutuila Islands Tutuila Island Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 83855)
Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands Anatahan Island introduced
Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 7)

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands Rota Island introduced
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands Rota Island Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 123725)
Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands Tinian Island introduced
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Saipan Saipan Island introduced
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Saipan Saipan Island Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 123724)
Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.

Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Española Group Española Island possibly introduced
invasive
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)

Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Fernandina Group Fernandina Island possibly introduced
invasive
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)

Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Floreana Group Floreana Island possibly introduced
invasive
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)

Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Isabela Group Isabela Island possibly introduced
invasive
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)

Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Isabela Group Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island possibly introduced
invasive
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)

Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Isabela Group Volcán Wolf, Isabela Island possibly introduced
invasive
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)

Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
San Cristóbal Group San Cristóbal Island possibly introduced
invasive
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)

Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Santa Cruz Group Santa Cruz Island possibly introduced
invasive
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)

Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Santiago Group Mao Islet, Santiago Island possibly introduced
invasive
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)

Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Santiago Group Santiago Island possibly introduced
invasive
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)

Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands Weno (Moen) Island introduced
Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 26)

Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island Kosrae Island introduced
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)

Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island Kosrae Island Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1949) (voucher ID: BISH 123718)
Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.

Guam
Guam Island Guam Island introduced
invasive
Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 195)
Vouchers cited: Stone 4325 (GUAM), Stone 4419 (GUAM)

Guam
Guam Island Guam Island introduced
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)

Guam
Guam Island Guam Island Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 123712)
Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.

Guam
Guam Island Guam Island Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 123726)
Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.

Guam
Guam Island Guam Island Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1962) (voucher ID: BISH 123728)
Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Hawai‘i (Big) Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1515)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Kaua‘i Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1515)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Lāna‘i Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1515)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Ni‘ihau, Lehua Islet introduced
invasive
Wood, K. R./LeGrande, Maya (2006) (p. 25)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Maui Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1515)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands Moloka‘i Island introduced
invasive
Oppenheimer, Hank L. (2003) (p. 20)
Voucher cited: Oppenheimer H110124 (BISH, PTBG)

State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands O‘ahu Island introduced
invasive
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1515)
Voucher cited: Heller 1963 (BISH)

Japan (offshore islands)
Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands introduced
Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)

Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) Babeldaob Island introduced
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)

Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) Babeldaob Island introduced
invasive
Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 84)

Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) Babeldaob Island introduced
invasive
Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 20)

Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) Koror (Oreor) Island introduced
invasive
Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 80)

Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) Koror (Oreor) Island Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1977) (voucher ID: BISH 428425)
Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.

Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) Koror (Oreor) Island Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1977) (voucher ID: BNM 10011)
Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.

Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) Koror (Oreor) Island Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1981) (voucher ID: BNM 3134)
Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.

Tonga
Tongatapu Group Tongatapu Island Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 48)

Tonga
Tongatapu Group Tongatapu Island introduced
invasive
Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 51)
Rare

Pacific Rim

Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments

Central America
Central America (Pacific rim) Costa Rica (Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Central America
Central America (Pacific rim) El Salvador (Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Central America
Central America (Pacific rim) Guatemala (Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Central America
Central America (Pacific rim) Honduras (Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Central America
Central America (Pacific rim) Nicaragua (Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Central America
Central America (Pacific rim) Panama (Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Japan
Japan Japan introduced
Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 192)

Mexico
Mexico Mexico (United Mexican States) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

South America (Pacific rim)
South America (Pacific rim) Colombia native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

South America (Pacific rim)
South America (Pacific rim) Ecuador (Republic of) (continental) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

South America (Pacific rim)
South America (Pacific rim) Perú (Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Indian Ocean

Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments

Mauritius
Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues) Mauritius Island Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 85)

Also reported from

Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments

United States (continental except west coast)
United States (other states) USA (Florida) introduced
invasive
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Naturalized

Control: If you know of control methods for Chloris radiata, please let us know.

Need more info? Have questions? Comments? Information to contribute? Contact PIER! (pier@hear.org)

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This page was created on 1 JAN 1999 and was last updated on 30 NOV 2008.

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 83855) Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Anatahan Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 7)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 123725) Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 123724) Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Española Group	Española Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Fernandina Group	Fernandina Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Isabela Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Wolf, Isabela Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santiago Group	Mao Islet, Santiago Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santiago Group	Santiago Island	possibly introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 26)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1949) (voucher ID: BISH 123718) Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 195) Vouchers cited: Stone 4325 (GUAM), Stone 4419 (GUAM)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 123712) Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 123726) Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1962) (voucher ID: BISH 123728) Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1515)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1515)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1515)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Ni‘ihau, Lehua Islet	introduced invasive	Wood, K. R./LeGrande, Maya (2006) (p. 25)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1515)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank L. (2003) (p. 20) Voucher cited: Oppenheimer H110124 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1515) Voucher cited: Heller 1963 (BISH)
Japan (offshore islands) Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 34)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 84)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 20)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 80)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1977) (voucher ID: BISH 428425) Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1977) (voucher ID: BNM 10011) Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1981) (voucher ID: BNM 3134) Taxon name on voucher: Chloris radiata (L.) Sw.
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 48)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 51) Rare

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Costa Rica (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	El Salvador (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Honduras (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Japan Japan	Japan	introduced	Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 192)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 85)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced invasive	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized