Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Eremochloa ophiuroides; centipede grass

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

n

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

n

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

1

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

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

3.02

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

n=0

n

3.03

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

n=0

y

3.04

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

n=0

n

3.05

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

n=0

n

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

4.09

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

y=1, n=0

y

4.1

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

y=1, n=0

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

y

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

5.04

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

y=1, n=0

n

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

n

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

6.07

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

See left

2

7.01

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

y=1, n=-1

n

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

8.02

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

y=1, n=-1

y

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

8.04

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

y=1, n=-1

y

8.05

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

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

8

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

no evidence

1.03

no evidence

2.01

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?15352 (23 May 2002)

Distributional range:
Native:
Asia-Temperate: China [s.]; Taiwan
Asia-Tropical: Vietnam
Other: cult. elsewhere

2.02

natural range is warm-temperate, but it is also grown in sub-tropical areas as turfgrass

2.03

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?15352 (23 May 2002)

Distributional range:
Native:
Asia-Temperate: China [s.]; Taiwan
Asia-Tropical: Vietnam
Other: cult. elsewhere

2.04

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?15352 (23 May 2002)

Distributional range:
Native:
Asia-Temperate: China [s.]; Taiwan
Asia-Tropical: Vietnam
Other: cult. elsewhere

2.05

USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

present in USA: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

3.01

Wunderlin, R. P. 1998, Guide to the vascular plants of Florida. Gainesville, University Press of Florida.

frequent escape from cultivation in Florida (roadside, ditches, riverbanks, etc)

3.02

no evidence

3.03

(1)http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/turf/publications/centipede.html (2)http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/ereop.htm

(1)it can become a nuisance in adjoining pasture and crop land.(2)weed of unspecified type

3.04

no evidence

3.05

no evidence

4.01

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P,191

no description of these traits

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

http://www.forages.css.orst.edu/Topics/Species/Grasses/Grass_Varieties/E.html

Not desirable as pasture plant

4.05

no evidence

4.06

no evidence

4.07

no evidence

4.08

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_attribute.cgi?symbol=EROP

Fire Resistant

4.09

(1)Wells, D. W.; Constantin, R. J. (1983) Turfgrasses compared in dense shade. Louisiana Agriculture, 1983, Vol.26, No.4, pp.22-23 (2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_LH009

(1)AB: The trial was set up under the dense canopy of a large live oak (Quercus virginiana ) in May 1981. The plots were assessed in autumn 1981 and 1982 by visual assessment of the percentage live stand, density, texture, colour and overall appearance. All the Bermuda grass [Cynodon dactylon ] cultivars (Tifway, Tifdwarf, Tifgreen and common Bermuda grass) were reduced to less than one third of their original stand by the autumn of 1981, and by 90% or more by the end of the second growing season. The quality of the two St. Augustine grass [Stenotaphrum secundatum ] cultivars used (common and Floratam) was rated below acceptable in the first year although common St. Augustine grass improved a little in the second season. Centipede grass [Eremochloa ophiuroides ] and Emerald zoysia [Zoysia sp.] had the highest ratings for both years with composite mean scores (on a ten point scale) of 5.1 and 5.4, respectively, for 1981, and 4.7 and 4.0 for 1982. Methods for enhancing the survival of shaded turf are suggested

4.1

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P,191

"various soils"

4.11

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P,191

"low-growing, perrenial grass"

4.12

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_LH009

turf relatively easily invaded by weeds

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P,191

"low-growing, perrenial grass"

5.03

no evidence

5.04

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P,191

"low-growing, perrenial grass"

6.01

no evidence

6.02

Walker, J. T. (1976) Centipedegrass seed treatments and light-temperature effects on germination. Plant Disease Reporter, 1976, Vol.60, No.5, pp.393-397

AB: Captafol, with treatments of a wetting agent and Na hypochlorite, was effective as a surface disinfectant against the fungi and bacteria associated with centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) seed. Thiram (42% at 95.9 g/100 ml) was also effective. No inhibition of seed germination or phytotoxicity to seedling roots resulted from treatments at the concs. tested. A higher percentage of seed germinated under alternating temps. of 17 to 30 deg C than at constant 25 or 30 deg . Germination was greater with 8 or 12 h fluorescent light daily than with 4 or 16 h or in darkness. Seed treatments followed by incubation at alternating temps. with 12 h light consistently resulted in a high percentage of axenic seedlings.

6.03

this is an economically important turf grass with many bred varieties but no reports of hybrid varieties.

6.04

Hanna, W. W.; Burton, G. W. (1978) Cytology, reproductive behaviour, and fertility characteristics of centipedegrass. Crop Science, 1978, Vol.18, No.5, pp.835-837, 4 ref.
AB: Research was carried out to study the chromosome behaviour at meiosis, establish the reproductive behaviour and study the seed setting characteristics of centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides). Cytological observations on several introductions from China and on local sources of common centipede grass showed that metaphase 1 meiosis was regular with 9 bivalents; however, 3 bivalents + 2 univalents were observed in 1-15% of the microsporocytes due to a precociously dividing bivalent. Pollen stainability ranged from 93 to 99%. Megasporogenesis and embryo sac development revealed normal sexual development and functional embryo sacs at anthesis. It was concluded that centipede grass was a sexually reproducing species. Open-pollinated, cross-pollinated and selfed seed ranged from 59 to 90%, 45 to 66% and 0 to 58%, resp. A self-incompati

Open-pollinated, cross-pollinated and selfed seed ranged from 59 to 90%, 45 to 66% and 0 to 58%, resp. A self-incompatibility system was present. [self-seed set depends on cultivar]

6.05

no evidence

6.06

Dehgan, B. (1998) Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. University Press of Florida., Gainesville, FL. 638pp. P,191

"spreads by stolons"

6.07

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1209.htm

Establishment rate: slow [estimate for slow growing perennial grass]

7.01

no evidence

7.02

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?15352 (23 May 2002)

"cultivated elsewhere"

7.03

no evidence

7.04

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/TM-14.pdf

seedheads are low and inconspicous

7.05

no evidence

7.06

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/TM-14.pdf

seedheads are low and inconspicous

7.07

no evidence

7.08

no evidence

8.01

http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/turf/publications/centipede.html

The inflorescence is a spikelike raceme, 3 to 5 inches long, Caryopsis about 2.0 mm long,

8.02

Bouton, J. H.; Dudeck, A. E.; Smith, R. L. (1976) Germination in freshly harvested seed of centipedegrass. Agronomy Journal, 1976, Vol.68, No.6, pp.991-992, 6 ref.

narrowly elliptic.

8.03

(1) Lewis, W. M.; Dipaola, J. M. (1985) Tolerance of Eremochloa ophiuroides, Paspalum notatum and Festuca arundinacea to herbicides. Proceedings, 5th International Turfgrass Research Conference., 1985, pp.717-726, 12 ref.
(2) Willard, T. R.; Currey, W. L.; Owen, M. D. K. (1983) Tolerance of three St. Augustinegrass cultivars and centipedegrass to sethoxydim and fluazifop-butyl. Proceedings, Southern Weed Science Society, 36th annual meeting., 1983, p.128 (3) Johnson, B. J.1997. Preemergence and postemergence herbicides for large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis ) control in centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides). Weed Technology, 11:144-148

(1) AB: E. ophiuroides is one of the best low maintenance turf spp. adapted in North Carolina. In trials in 1983-4 at 3 sites, the tolerance of E. ophiuroides turf, maintained at a height of 3.5 cm and receiving 24-48 kg N/ha annually, to herbicides was investigated. E. ophiuroides was tolerant to single applications of 224-672 g sethoxydim or 53-280 g sulfometuron-methyl/ha and triple applications of 336 g sethoxydim or 140 g sulfometuron-methyl. P. notatum and F. arundinacea were controlled effectively at these rates. Fenoxaprop-ethyl, fluazifop-butyl, DPX-Y6202 [quizalofop] and haloxyfop-methyl all caused unacceptable damage to E. ophiuroides.
(2) AB: At 11 days after spraying (DAS), 0.07-0.28 kg sethoxydim/ha was phytotoxic to Stenotaphrum secundatum cv. Floratam, Raleigh and Floratine but not to Eremochloa ophiuroides. Fluazifop-butyl was phytotoxic to Floratam and Raleigh at 0.14-0.28 kg/ha and, at 0.07-0.28 kg/ha to Floratine and E. ophiuroides. 47 DAS, phytotoxicity was only observed on Floratin

8.04

(1)Miller, K. J.; Dickens, R. (1985) Centipedegrass seed production. Circular, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, 1985, No.284, 11pp., 5 ref.

AB: Field experiments at 2 locations in Macon County, Alabama over 2 years suggested that final clipping date prior to seed harvesting determined seed yield in Eremochloa ophiuroides. Final clipping date about July 15 optimized seed yields, as did mowing at heights between 1.0 and 2.0 inches. Application of fertilizer N to soils with adequate levels of residual N did not increase seed yields; it is suggested that 40-80 lb N/acre added to soils which do not readily retain N will optimize seed production without increasing winter injury risk. Seedhead counts immediately prior to harvest indicated more accurately potential seed yield than counts earlier in the season. [tolerates frequent mowing]

8.05

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_LH009

highly susceptible to damage from nematodes, particularly ring nematodes. This damage limits the use of centipedegrass in south Florida's sandy soils