Bouteloua aristidoides (Kunth) Griseb. Family - Poaceae. Common Names(s) - needle grama. Synonym(s) - NA.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

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

1

2.02

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

1

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

n

0

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?

y=-2, ?=-1, n=0

n

3.01

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

n

0

3.02

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

n=0

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

n

0

3.05

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

n=0

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

n

0

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

n

0

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

n

0

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

n

0

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

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

-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

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

y

1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

n

-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:

9

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

1.03

2.01

Marginally subtropical(1)Commonly occurs in the higher deserts of Arizona, southern California and northern Mexico from 3,000 to 5,500 ft. elevation.(2)Bouteloua aristidoides (Kunth) Griseb. (Gramineae: Chloridoideae) is an annual distributed in the southwestern U.S.A., Mexicoa, and South America. (3)The study was conducted at the El Divisadero Cattle Experimental Station, located (67° 41'W, 33° 45'S) in the north central Mendoza plain, mid-west Argentina. The climate is temperate–warm (Braun, 1980) and mean annual precipitation for 1987–1993 was 307·2 mm (S.D. = 116·3), concentrated in spring and summer (Fig. 1). Average maximum daily temperatures (1972–1978) range from 33·1 °C in January to 14·9 °C in July. Average minimum daily temperatures range from 16·5 °C in January to –1·0 °C in July (data for N˜ acun˜ a´n, 30 km south of ‘El Divisadero’) (Estrella et al., 1979).

(1)http://www.graniteseed.com/seeds/seed.php/Bouteloua_aristidoides [Accessed 05 June 2008] (2)Columbus, J. T. 1998. Morphology and Leaf Blade Anatomy Suggest a Close Relationship Between Bouteloua aristidoides and B. (Chondrosium) eriopoda (Gramineae: Chloridoideae). Systematic Botany 23(4): 467-478. (3)Guevara, J.C., O.R. Estevez, C.R. Stasi & A.S. Monge. 1996. Botanical composition of the seasonal diet of cattle in the rangelands of the Monte Desert of Mendoza, Argentina. Journal of Arid Environments 32: 387–394.

2.02

Native range marginally subtropical [see 2.01]

2.03

(1)They only germinate after summer rains, and form ripe seed within 4 weeks at altitudes below 1000 m., and in 6 weeks at higher altitudes. [elevational range >1000 m] (2)Dry mesas, plains, and washes, from near sea level to about 2000 m elevation. [elevational range >1000 m]

(1)Went, F. W. 1948. Ecology of Desert Plants. I. Observations on Germination in the Joshua Tree National Monument, California. Ecology 29(3): 242-253.(2)Gould, F. W. 1979. The Genus Bouteloua (Poaceae).Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 66(3): 348-416.

2.04

Marginally subtropical (1)Commonly occurs in the higher deserts of Arizona, southern California and northern Mexico from 3,000 to 5,500 ft. elevation.(2)Bouteloua aristidoides (Kunth) Griseb. (Gramineae: Chloridoideae) is an annual distributed in the southwestern U.S.A., Mexicoa, and South America. (3)The study was conducted at the El Divisadero Cattle Experimental Station, located (67° 41'W, 33° 45'S) in the north central Mendoza plain, mid-west Argentina. The climate is temperate–warm (Braun, 1980) and mean annual precipitation for 1987–1993 was 307·2 mm (S.D. = 116·3), concentrated in spring and summer (Fig. 1). Average maximum daily temperatures (1972–1978) range from 33·1 °C in January to 14·9 °C in July. Average minimum daily temperatures range from 16·5 °C in January to –1·0 °C in July (data for N˜ acun˜ a´n, 30 km south of ‘El Divisadero’) (Estrella et al., 1979).

(1)http://www.graniteseed.com/seeds/seed.php/Bouteloua_aristidoides [Accessed 05 June 2008] (2)Columbus, J. T. 1998. Morphology and Leaf Blade Anatomy Suggest a Close Relationship Between Bouteloua aristidoides and B. (Chondrosium) eriopoda (Gramineae: Chloridoideae). Systematic Botany 23(4): 467-478. (3)Guevara, J.C., O.R. Estevez, C.R. Stasi & A.S. Monge. 1996. Botanical composition of the seasonal diet of cattle in the rangelands of the Monte Desert of Mendoza, Argentina. Journal of Arid Environments 32: 387–394.

2.05

No evidence of introductions outside broad native range.

3.01

(1)The species is also adventive in India [insufficient evidence of naturalization]

(1)Bor, N. L. 1960. The grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan (excluding Bambuseae). Pergamon Press. New York.

3.02

B. aristidoides has characteristics of a weed of disturbed sites, but no information was found on negative impacts or control measures (1)Bouteloua aristidoides, described by Gould and Moran (1981) as the weediest species of Bouteloua, frequently grows in disturbed places such as washes, heavily grazed areas, and road edges…[weedy tendencies in native range, but no evidence of impacts or control efforts] (2)An annual, warm season, native bunchgrass that grows 6 to 12” tall. Use for erosion control on unstable soils. Persists on dry hillsides across the higher deserts of Arizona, southern California and northern Mexico [adapted to disturbed sites] (3)RANGE: Can be found along washes, roadsides and vacant urban lots.

(1)Columbus, J. T. 1998. Morphology and Leaf Blade Anatomy Suggest a Close Relationship Between Bouteloua aristidoides and B. (Chondrosium) eriopoda (Gramineae: Chloridoideae). Systematic Botany 23(4): 467-478. (2)http://www.avseeds.com/stellent/groups/public/documents/web_content/ecmd0009866.pdf [Accessed 11 June 2008] (3)http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/plantae/bouteloua_aristidoides.html [Accessed 11 June 2008]

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

(1)Bouteloua gracilis [listed as an agricultural weed in Canada] (2)Several species of Bouteloua listed as weeds [subsequent searches found no information on negative impacts of Bouteloua spp.]

(1)Darbyshire, S. J. 2003. Inventory of Canadian Agricultural Weeds. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch, Ottawa, Ontario. (2)http://www.hear.org/gcw/scientificnames/scinameb.htm [Accessed 12 June 2008]

4.01

(1)Spines: spineless (2)UNARMED. The awns are not sharp, but may become entangled in socks or an animal's fur as they fall and disperse.

(1)http://cabezaprieta.org/plant_page.php?id=1551 [Accessed 11 June 2008] (2)http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/plantae/bouteloua_aristidoides.html [Accessed 11 June 2008]

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

4.04

(1)Palatable (browser) Medium; Palatable (grazer) Medium (2)Grasses were the most important component of cattle diets throughout the rainy season, while shrubs and trees were important in the dry season. The major shifts in diets occurred in response to changes in grass phenology [grasses include B. aristidoides]

(1)http://www.graniteseed.com/seeds/seed.php/Bouteloua_aristidoides [Accessed 05 June 2008] (2)Guevara, J.C., O.R. Estevez, C.R. Stasi & A.S. Monge. 1996. Botanical composition of the seasonal diet of cattle in the rangelands of the Monte Desert of Mendoza, Argentina. Journal of Arid Environments 32: 387–394.

4.05

(1)Toxicity None

(1)http://www.graniteseed.com/seeds/seed.php/Bouteloua_aristidoides [Accessed 05 June 2008]

4.06

No evidence

4.07

(1)Toxicity None (2)Grasses and weeds that produce allergenic pollen in Southern Arizona [B. aristidoides, one of only 11 grasses mentioned, as well as two other Bouteloua spp.]

(1)http://www.graniteseed.com/seeds/seed.php/Bouteloua_aristidoides [Accessed 05 June 2008] (2)http://allergy.peds.arizona.edu/southwest/grass_weeds/latingrass.html [Accessed 12 June 2008]

4.08

(1)Fire has not been an ecological process in Sonoran desert scrub, thorn scrub, or tropical deciduous forest because there is rarely have enough fine fuel on the ground to carry a fire. The native annual grasses either do not accumulate much fine fuel (for example,Vulpia octoflora, V. microstachys) or are active later in the summer monsoon season (such as Bouteloua aristidoides, B. barbata).

(1)Van Devender, T. R., R. S. Felger and A. Burquez. 1997. Exotic Plants in the Sonoran Desert Region, Arizona and Sonora. California Exotic Pest Plant Council. 1997 Symposium Proceedings. 6 pp.

4.09

(1)Shade Tolerance Intolerant

(1)http://www.graniteseed.com/seeds/seed.php/Bouteloua_aristidoides [Accessed 05 June 2008]

4.10

(1)Medium Soil (adapted) Yes Coarse Soil (adapted) Yes Salinity Tolerance Medium

(1)http://www.graniteseed.com/seeds/seed.php/Bouteloua_aristidoides [Accessed 12 June 2008]

4.11

Not a vine or climber

4.12

(1)No evidence [unlikely as a tufted, short-lived annual with weak culms]

(1)Gould, F. W. 1979. The Genus Bouteloua (Poaceae).Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 66(3): 348-416.

5.01

Terrestrial

5.02

Poaceae

5.03

Poaceae

5.04

An annual grass

6.01

No evidence

6.02

(1)Seed / lb 414000 Seedling Vigor High

(1)http://www.graniteseed.com/seeds/seed.php/Bouteloua_aristidoides [accessed July 1, 2008]

6.03

(1)Unknown [other species of Bouteloua can hybridize]

(1)http://herbarium.usu.edu/treatments/Bouteloua.htm [Accessed 12 June 2008]

6.04

(1)Bouteloua aristidoides is an annual and predominantly or perhaps completely autogamous in nature…

(1)Columbus, J. T. 1998. Morphology and Leaf Blade Anatomy Suggest a Close Relationship Between Bouteloua aristidoides and B. (Chondrosium) eriopoda (Gramineae: Chloridoideae). Systematic Botany 23(4): 467-478.

6.05

Poaceae - wind pollinated

6.06

(1)Tufted, short-lived annual [no rhizomes or stolons]

(1)Gould, F. W. 1979. The Genus Bouteloua (Poaceae).Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 66(3): 348-416.

6.07

(1)Life Form Annual

(1)http://www.graniteseed.com/seeds/seed.php/Bouteloua_aristidoides [Accessed 05 June 2008]

7.01

(1)RANGE: Can be found along washes, roadsides and vacant urban lots

(1)http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/plantae/bouteloua_aristidoides.html [Accessed 11 June 2008]

7.02

(1)Seeds sold for soil stabilization

(1)http://www.stoverseed.com/websearch/specieslist.cfm [Accessed 12 June 2008]

7.03

Unknown [no evidence, although growth habit and habitat make seed contamination in grains possible]

7.04

(1)During the summer, ants collect mostly seeds produced in previous seasons and dispersed by wind and flooding. In 1991, colonies in all vegetation types collected mostly Bouteloua aristidoides; [ants secondarily disperse wind and water-dispersed Bouteloua seeds]

(1)Gordon, D. M. 1993. The spatial scale of seed collection by harvester ants. Oecologia Volume 95, Number 4 : 479-487.

7.05

(1)Ecology: Dry, open, sandy to rocky slopes, flats, washes, disturbed sites, scrub, woodland [grows in washes; probably dispersed by periodic flooding] (2)During the summer, ants collect mostly seeds produced in previous seasons and dispersed by wind and flooding. In 1991, colonies in all vegetation types collected mostly Bouteloua aristidoides; [ants secondarily disperse wind and water-dispersed Bouteloua seeds]

(1)http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,8845,0,8846 [Accessed 06 June 2008] (2)Gordon, D. M. 1993. The spatial scale of seed collection by harvester ants. Oecologia Volume 95, Number 4 : 479-487.

7.06

Not fleshy-fruited.

7.07

(1)The mature inflorescence branches, each bearing at least one caryopsis-containing spikelet, can readily disarticulate upon contact with animals and adhere by way of the sharply pointed base (densely beset with short, antrorse, stiff hairs), the prolonged acuminate axis, and the ascending or spreading second glumes and sterile floret awns. (2)UNARMED. The awns are not sharp, but may become entangled in socks or an animal's fur as they fall and disperse.

(1)Columbus, J. T. 1998. Morphology and Leaf Blade Anatomy Suggest a Close Relationship Between Bouteloua aristidoides and B. (Chondrosium) eriopoda (Gramineae: Chloridoideae). Systematic Botany 23(4): 467-478. (2)http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/plantae/bouteloua_aristidoides.html [Accessed 11 June 2008]

7.08

Unknown (1)An analysis of D. merriami cheek pouches, while often containing trap bait, revealed seeds of Vulpia [Festuca] octoflora, Bouteloua aristidoides…[no evidence of gut passage, but seeds dispersed by animals in cheek pouches]

(1)Hope, A. G. and R. R. Parmenter. 2007. Food Habits of Rodents Inhabiting Arid and Semi-arid Ecosystems of Central New Mexico. SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MUSEUM OF SOUTHWESTERN BIOLOGY 9: 1-75.

8.01

Probably not [smaller tufted annual that grows more sparsely in disturbed sites]

8.02

(1)Storage Conditions: 65 % viability following drying to mc's in equilibrium with 15 % RH and freezing for 6 years at -20ºC at RBG Kew, WP. [laboratory info. and ecology of annual seeds germinating after monsoon rains suggest seed bank formation]

(1)http://data.kew.org/sid/SidServlet?ID=9858&Num=mk5 [Accessed 12 June 2008]

8.03

(1)norflurazon [given an "excellent" weed control rating as a pre-emergent]

(1)Zandstra, B., M. Particka and J. Masabni. 2004. Guide to Tolerance of Crops and Susceptibility of Weeds to Herbicides. Michigan State University. Extension Bulletin E - 2833.

8.04

(1)This study examined the response of summer and winter annuals and perennials in a shrub-invaded arid plant community to combinations of fire and grazing by cattle to determine their effects on individual abundances, species richness and diversity. Thirteen species differed significantly in abundance across the burn treatment while nine differed significantly across the grazing treatment. Summer and winter annual plants were significantly more abundant, and summer annual plant species richness and diversity were significantly higher on burn plots. Most species were affected either by burning or grazing indicating that these disturbances affect this plant community relatively independently...Only five species were sufficiently common to examine individually. Two annuals, including the grass Bouteloua aristidoides, were significantly more abundant on burned plots. [fires increase B. aristidoides abundance]

(1)Valonea, T. J. and Kelt, D. A. 1999. Fire and grazing in a shrub-invaded arid grassland community: independent or interactive ecological effects? Journal of Arid Environments 42: 15–28.

8.05

Unknown