Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated? (If answer is 'no' then go to question 2.01)

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

2

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

2

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

2

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

1

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

y

1

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

y

1

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

1

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

-1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

19

Notes

1.01

No, this species has not been in cultivation for at least 20 generations nor has it diverged from wild varieties.

1.02

Answer not scored because conditions for scoring (1.01 must = y) were not met

1.03

Answer not scored because conditions for scoring (1.01 must = y) were not met

2.01

"Creeping bentgrass is native to Eurasia and North Africa. It was probably introduced to North America prior to 1750, and has become naturalized throughout the southern Canadian provinces and most of the United States."

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

2.02

Native range well known

2.03

Yes because of its elevational range "Elevation: between 0 and 3281 feet [Calflora 2004 (m)]"

Webpage: Calflora - Species Information. Accessed 2008. http://www.calflora.org/species/index.html

2.04

(1)"Creeping bentgrass is native to Eurasia and North Africa. It was probably introduced to North America prior to 1750, and has become naturalized throughout the southern Canadian provinces and most of the United States." (2)"Agrostis stolonifera is an invasive species in many sites in the USA. Where it occurs as a non-native invasive, it can form dense mats that exclude native species. In grasslands, Agrostis stolonifera fills in openings among native bunchgrass, apparently competing with native forbs that require this microhabitat. Staff of The Nature Conservancy have observed it (and closely related species) damaging wildland sites in New York, Oregon, and Washington. Outside the USA it has been documented invading many different habitats. On Marion Island--a sub-Antarctic speck of land of great conservation value in the Southern Ocean--it is forming thick infestations in otherwise undisturbed habitats. Other examples of infestations include sites in Canada and Australia."

(1)Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ (2)Rice, B. 2006. TNC Global Invasive Species Team Featured Foe: Agrostis stolonifera L. - Creeping Bentgrass. Available on-line at: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/products/featured/agrostis1.html

2.05

[introduced widely for the following reasons] "Creeping bentgrass is important forage for livestock because it stays green and palatable throughout the summer … Creeping bentgrass is moderately effective in stabilizing streambanks due to its typically dense network of intertwining roots and rhizomes … Creeping bentgrass is widely used in turf culture, especially for golf courses"

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

3.01

"Creeping bentgrass is native to Eurasia and North Africa. It was probably introduced to North America prior to 1750, and has become naturalized throughout the southern Canadian provinces and most of the United States"

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

3.02

(1)"Creeping bentgrass readily colonizes areas disturbed by logging, plowing, burning, or excessive grazing" (2)"Creeping bentgrass infestations in cool-season turfgrass are unsightly and difficult to control."

(1)Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ (2)Beam, J.B., W.L. Barker and S.D. Askew. 2006. Selective Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) control in cool-season turfgrass. Weed Technology 20(2): 340-344

3.03

No evidence

3.04

Possibly (1)"We know Agrostis stolonifera (synonym A. alba) is invasive in globally rare native grassland communities on Long Island, NY and Agrostis species are also widespread and locally abundant in Massachusetts. Agrostis stolonifera has also been reported as invasive in TNC's Middle Fork of the John Day River in eastern OR and A. tenuis has been reported from prairies in the Puget trough south of Seattle, WA and in meadows of the Sierra Nevada … Unfortunately, thus far we have only been able to find anecdotal evidence of the problems these species cause so we seek better-detailed and documented information." (2)"Where it occurs as a non-native invasive, it can form dense mats that exclude native species. In grasslands, Agrostis stolonifera fills in openings among native bunchgrass, apparently competing with native forbs that require this microhabitat. Staff of The Nature Conservancy have observed it (and closely related species) damaging wildland sites in New York (M. Jordan, pers. Comm. 2001), Oregon (N. Rudd, pers. Comm. 2001), and Washington (P. Dunwiddie, pers. Comm. 2006)."

(1)The Global Invasive Species Team. Webpage: Global Invasive Species Team listserve digest #080 Fri Mar 16 2001. Accessed 2008. http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/listarch/arch080.html (2)Rice, B. 2006. TNC Global Invasive Species Team Featured Foe: Agrostis stolonifera L. - Creeping Bentgrass. Available on-line at: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/products/featured/agrostis1.html

3.05

"Agrostis gigantea is a declared aquatic or terrestrial noxious weed and/or noxious-weed seed in these U.S. states (see state noxious weed lists), with links to state information or web documents: DE°, MD°, PA°, VA°, WV°"

Sinnott, Q. Webpage: USDA Agricultural Research Service Germplasm Resources Information Network- Species Search. Accessed 2008. http://www.ars.usda.gov/search/advanced.htm

4.01

No, see plant description "Leaf blades ascending, 1-6 mm wide, scabrous; sheaths glabrous, the ligule hyaline, usually splitting, 1-5 mm long."

Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, USGS. Webpage: Aquatic and Wetland Vascular Plants of the Northern Great Plains. Accessed 2008. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/vascplnt/fampoace.htm#famlist

4.02

No evidence

4.03

Not parasitic

USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Staff. 2008. Parasitic Plant Genera List

4.04

"PALATABILITY : Creeping bentgrass has a high palatability rating in the spring and early summer, fair after flowering, and poor in winter. It is rated fair to good for livestock and highly satisfactory for elk"

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

4.05

Creeping bentgrass is important forage for livestock because it stays green and palatable throughout the summer.

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

4.06

No evidence

4.07

"Creeping bent grass is erect and grows from creeping perennial rhizomes with open reddish panicles. This grass is generally used for a pasture grass but some species are used for lawns and golfcourses. Agrostis sheds large amounts of pollen in June-August. Allergenicity: Bent grass is a high pollen producer. This is one of the more significant grass types in terms of allergy. [considered a] Severe Allergen"

Kartesz, J. Biota of North America Program. Website: PollenLibrary.com. Accessed 2008. University of North carolina, Chapel Hill. http://www.pollenlibrary.com/

4.08

Unknown. "FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS : Creeping bentgrass has fair tolerance to fire. No information was available in the literature concerning creeping bentgrass fire ecology or adaptations."

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

4.09

"Can persist under conditions of up to 80% shade "Under 25% of shade, only A. stolonifera produced good quality turf as single species, surviving until the beginning of the second warm season. Under 50% of light reduction, A. stolonifera is the only species that persisted two years from its establishment, with very good quality in the first year and just acceptable in the second year. At 80% of shading, A. stolonifera and P. trivialis persisted until the second early summer with acceptable quality, but only A. stolonifera survived two warm seasons."

Caminos, T.S. and S.J. Estévez. 2007. Effects of Shade on the Persistence of Cool-Season Grasses to Form Turfgrass. Agricultura Técnica (Chile) 67(4):372-383

4.10

"Creeping bentgrass occurs in a wide variety of habitats including woodlands, forest openings, grasslands, shrublands, prairies, sandhills, meadows, marshes, bogs, vernal pools, and stream and lake margins. It is most commonly found in moist places such as recently exposed sand and gravel bars, wet meadows, and along streams. Creeping bentgrass grows on disturbed sites such as in ditches or along roadsides, and in pastures and hayfields. It also grows in salt marshes. Creeping bentgrass grows best on moist to semiwet soils, but is tolerant of poorly drained and subirrigated conditions, submergence, and frequent flooding. It grows best on loam, clay-loam, and sandy soils, but occurs on gravelly and rocky substrates as well. It is moderately tolerant of drought"

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

4.11

Not a vine or woody liana

4.12

(1)"Once a suitable site is disturbed, the extensive stolon system of creeping bentgrass allows it to rapidly spread and establish. It also withstands high levels of grazing, making replacement with former dominants difficult … Creeping bentgrass is a stoloniferous perennial, and is sometimes mat-forming or tufted. Culms are prostrate, usually 1.3 to 3.3 feet (0.4-1 m) long" (2)"Where it occurs as a non-native invasive, it can form dense mats that exclude native species. In grasslands, Agrostis stolonifera fills in openings among native bunchgrass, apparently competing with native forbs that require this microhabitat. Staff of The Nature Conservancy have observed it (and closely related species) damaging wildland sites in New York (M. Jordan, pers. Comm. 2001), Oregon (N. Rudd, pers. Comm. 2001), and Washington (P. Dunwiddie, pers. Comm. 2006)."

(1)Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ (2)Rice, B. 2006. TNC Global Invasive Species Team Featured Foe: Agrostis stolonifera L. - Creeping Bentgrass. Available on-line at: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/products/featured/agrostis1.html

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

In the grass family Poaceae

Sinnott, Q. Webpage: National Plant Germplasm System Accessed 2008. USDA- ARS. http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/aboutgrin.html

5.03

No, in the family Poaceae

5.04

"RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : Hemicryptophyte, Geophyte"

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

6.01

No evidence

6.02

"Creeping bentgrass reproduces by seed and by stolons. It can set seed in one growing season, thus sometimes functioning as an annual. In southern Ontario, creeping bentgrass seed has a 52 percent germination rate after 30 days under approximate optimal germination conditions; seeds were cold stratified for 9 months prior to planting"

6.03

(1)"Creeping bentgrass hybridizes with rabbitfoot grass (Polypogon monspeliensis) and colonial bentgrass (A. capillaris). It apparently hybridizes with ticklegrass (A. scabra), spike bentgrass (A. exarata)and water polypogon (P. semiverticillatus)" (2)"There is some controversy about the range of Agrostis stolonifera as an invader because it is notoriously difficult for non-experts to distinguish it from closely related plants such as Agrostis capillaris and A. tenuis. The fact that these species can hybridize (Belanger et al. 2003) complicates the identification process!"

(1)Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ (2)Rice, B. 2006. TNC Global Invasive Species Team Featured Foe: Agrostis stolonifera L. - Creeping Bentgrass. Available on-line at: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/products/featured/agrostis1.html

6.04

Unknown

6.05

"Since Agrostis stolonifera is wind pollinated, it is possible that this herbicide resistance could be transferred from sites where the engineered form is used, to invading Agrostis stolonifera plants in wildland sites."

Rice, B. 2006. TNC Global Invasive Species Team Featured Foe: Agrostis stolonifera L. - Creeping Bentgrass. Available on-line at: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/products/featured/agrostis1.html

6.06

"In a northern subarctic community in Manitoba, Canada, creeping bentgrass is a persistent perennial that spreads vegetatively to form clumps or large patches but sometimes fails to reproduce by seed, although flowering is observed"

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

6.07

"It can set seed in one growing season, thus sometimes functioning as an annual"

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

7.01

Yes, since it grows in disturbed heavily trafficked areas and "Seeds can disperse with water, mud, and animals."

DiTomaso, J.M. and E.A. Healy. 2006. Weeds of California and Other Western States. University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

7.02

[introduced widely for the following reasons] "Creeping bentgrass is important forage for livestock because it stays green and palatable throughout the summer … Creeping bentgrass is moderately effective in stabilizing streambanks due to its typically dense network of intertwining roots and rhizomes … Creeping bentgrass is widely used in turf culture, especially for golf courses"

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

7.03

Possibly, if grown in proximity to produce, however, no evidence found

7.04

Yes. "Grain brown, ellipsoid, 0.8-1.2 mm long"

Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, USGS. Webpage: Aquatic and Wetland Vascular Plants of the Northern Great Plains. Accessed 2008. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/vascplnt/fampoace.htm#famlist

7.05

(1)Yes based on its habitat "It is most commonly found in moist places such as recently exposed sand and gravel bars, wet meadows, and along streams." (2)"Identify dispersal mechanisms: Seeds can disperse with water, mud, and animals, but water dispersal would be most important for long distance transport along rivers and streams."

(1)Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ (2)DiTomaso, J.M. and E.A. Healy. 2006. Weeds of California and Other Western States. University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

7.06

No evidence

7.07

No external hooks on seeds for attachment

7.08

No evidence

8.01

Yes, grain size tiny "Grain brown, ellipsoid, 0.8-1.2 mm long"

Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, USGS. Webpage: Aquatic and Wetland Vascular Plants of the Northern Great Plains. Accessed 2008. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/vascplnt/fampoace.htm#famlist

8.02

"Grasses in the genus Agrostis are seed-banking species. In pastures and meadows of Europe, creeping bentgrass seeds can survive in the soil for at least 1 year "

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

8.03

(1)"Results indicate isoxaflutole or mesotrione could be used for selective bentgrass control in Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass."(2)"The results of these studies demonstrate that fluazifop-P, clethodim, and sethoxydim have substantial herbicide activity on bentgrass species and may be viable alternatives to glyphosate for control of glyphosate-resistant creeping bentgrass and related bentgrass species in areas where they are not wanted. Glufosinate, atrazine, and sulfosulfuron also exhibited substantial herbicidal activity on bentgrass, and further research with these herbicides is warranted."

(1)Beam, J.B., W.L. Barker and S.D. Askew. 2006. Selective Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) control in cool-season turfgrass. Weed Technology 20(2): 340-344 (2)Hart, S.E., F. Yelverton, E.K. Nelson, D.W. Lycan and G.M. Henry. 2005. Response of glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-susceptible bentgrass (Agrostis spp.) to postemergence herbicides. Weed technology 19(3): 549-559

8.04

"Overgrazing on sites formerly dominated by native grasses produces changes in vegetational communities. Once a suitable site is disturbed, the extensive stolon system of creeping bentgrass allows it to rapidly spread and establish. It also withstands high levels of grazing, making replacement with former dominants difficult … Creeping bentgrass is tolerant of close grazing due to its somewhat prostrate growth form, rhizomatous growth habit, and lower palatability than associated species."

Esser, L.L. 1994. Agrostis stolonifera. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

8.05

Unknown