Axonopus compressus (Sw.) Beauv., Poaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results: 

Reject, score: 12 (Go to the risk assessment (Australia))
High risk, score: 15 (Go to the risk assessment (Pacific))

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: di tan cao

English: American carpet grass, Dorrington grass, Louisiana grass, blanket grass, broadleaf carpet grass, carpet grass, flat jointgrass, lawn grass, savannah grass, tropical carpet grass, wide-leaved carpet grass

Fijian: kambutu ni vavalangi

French: buffalo américain, herbe de la Louisiane, herbe gazon

Japanese: tsurume-hishiba

Spanish: alfombra, barbacoa, cañamazo dulce, grama, grama trenza, pasto chato, pasto jesuita, zacate amargo

Habit:  grass

Description:  "A creeping, stoloniferous, perennial grass; flowering culms erect, 15 to 16 cm high, solid, laterally compressed, the stolons strongly branched, rooting at each node; leaf sheaths strongly compressed, finely hairy along the outer margin, otherwise smooth, the nodes densely pubescent; ligule very short, fringed with short hairs; blade lanceolate, flat, 4 to 15 cm long, 2.5 to 15 mm wide, with broadly rounded base and blunt apex, often fringed with hairs; inflorescence with slender peduncles, two to four, seldom eight, developing successively, the secondary and succeeding inflorescences remaining hidden inside the sheath but ultimately projecting beyond the sheath (long-exserted); peduncle smooth, bearing at its apex two slender, one-sided spikes, usually 5 to 8 cm long, often with a third below them, rarely a fourth; spikelets oblong, rather acute, 2 to 2.5 mm long, 1 to 1.25 mm wide, pale green or tinged with purple, solitary on alternate sides of rachis and forming two rows, ciliate on the margins; lower glume absent, the upper as long as the spikelet with two nerves near each margin; anthers yellowish white or slightly tinged with purple; grain (caryopsis) yellowish brown, about 1.25 mm long.  It is commonly distinguished by the short ligule which is fringed with short hairs and by the inflorescences which develop successively.  The secondary and succeeding inflorescences remain hidden inside the sheath but ultimately become long-exserted" (Holm et al., 1977; p. 180).

"Perennial, stoloniferous grass; culms to 5 dm long, relatively stout, compressed, usually densely pubescent at nodes, the stolons elongate, with short internodes and short, broad, obtuse blades; cauline leaf blades to 20 cm long and to 12 mm wide, the uppermost small, the margins ciliate; racemes 2-5, mostly to 7 cm long, ascending, the upper two paired, the remainder separated; spikelets to 3 mm long, sparsely pilose, the second glume and sterile lemma distinctly pointed beyond the fruit"  (Welsh, 1998; p. 329).

Habitat/ecology:  "Troublesome as a weed mainly along the equator.  It needs sun but will tolerate shade.  It is found in lawns and, indeed, is a valuable lawn cover for some areas.  It is found in gardens, waysides, and waste places.  The species grows best if the soil is rich, the ground is moist, and the climate is slightly humid so that the plant is not subjected to extreme periods of low humidity.  It is found in the tropical rain forest areas of Fiji, at all elevations in Ceylon, and under the shade of mature rubber trees in Southeast Asia.  Like most plants, it performs best in fertile areas but also grows remarkably well on poor sandy soils if moisture is present.  It grows over a wide range of soil pH and likes a compact soil"  (Holm et al., 1977; pp. 180, 183). Pastures, roadsides and other disturbed, moist places to 800 m elevation. Forms mats that can exclude other species.  "[C]ommon in lawns and sunny, disturbed places" (Whistler, 1988; p. 46). In New Caledonia, "introduit selon la tradition locale vers 1943 pour gazonner des installations militaires américaines; est déjà pourtant cité par Jacques (1940). Parfois spontané mais moins commun que [Axonopus fissifolius]" (MacKee, 1994; p. 57).

Propagation:  "The plant can reproduce by seeds or by vegetative parts.  Under favorable conditions the plant may flower continuously" (Holm et al., 1977; p. 183).

Native range:  Southern US, south to South America; now widely naturalized (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ta‘u Island		Whistler, W. A. (1990) Voucher cited: Whistler 3325
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ta‘u Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2001) (voucher ID: PTBG 34597) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus
American Samoa Swain's Island	Swain's Island		Whistler, W. A. (1983) (p. 17) Voucher cited: Whistler 3412
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island	introduced invasive	Anon. (1988)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced	Pickard, J. (1984) (p. 204)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 22) "Introduced to the Island as a pasture grass". Voucher cited: J. Pickard 2841 (NSW)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Sykes, Bill (year unknown)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Isabela Island	introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Alcedo, Isabela Island	introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Cerro Azul, Isabela Island	introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island	introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced invasive	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 88) Presence not verified.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 31)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 10) Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 62)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 31)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Glassman, S. F. (1952) (pp. 125-126) Voucher cited: Glassman 2426 (US)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 54) Vouchers cited: T.W. Flynn 6087 (K, PTBG), D.H. lorence 9496 (COM, NY, PTBG) Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1996) (voucher ID: PTBG 24532) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus (Sw.) Beauv.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2006) (voucher ID: PTBG 44883) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 31)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1979) (p. 333) Vouchers cited: Greenwood 592, DA 8775
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1979) (p. 333) Vouchers cited: DA 1625, Greenwood 1108, DA 7296, DA 7297, DA 3962, DA 3631, DA 3634, DA 7694, DA 7702, DA 7770
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 42381) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 329) Voucher cited: Fosberg 62729
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 2607 (PAP), W.A. Whistler & M. Guérin 28 (PAP), J. Florence & J.-C. Jolinon 8092 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1981) (voucher ID: PTBG 38242) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus (Sw.) Beauv.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 202) Voucher cited: Stone 4085 (GUAM)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 31)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank (2007) (p. 29) Voucher cited: Oppenheimer H40507 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2004) (p. 26) Voucher cited: Starr & Starr 020225-3 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank L. (2003) (p. 19) West Maui. Vouchers cited: Oppenheimer H70106 (BISH, PTBG), Oppenheimer & E. Ramanchak H100106 (BISH, PTBG), Oppenheimer H110102 (BISH, PTBG), Oppenheimer H110103 (BISH, PTBG), Starr & Martz 011105-1 (BISH), Oppenheimer H110112 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2004) (p. 26) East Maui. Voucher cited: Starr & Martz 011031-1 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank L. (2003) (p. 19) Voucher cited: Oppenheimer H110126 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank L. (2004) (p. 15) Voucher cited: Oppenheimer H120201 (BISH, PTBG)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 57) Voucher cited: Veillon 1127
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 232) Voucher cited: CHR 168744
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 46)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A./Atherton, J. (1997) (p. 54)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 39)
Palau Kayangel Atoll	Kayangel Islet	introduced invasive	Miles, Joel (2015) (p. 2) ref cites other taxa as "Cultivated," but not this one, so implication is that this taxon was found in a non-cultivated situation (PT@PhilipT.com/20170602)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 31)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 103)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1977) (voucher ID: BNM 912) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus (Sw.) Beauv.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1977) (voucher ID: BNM 112) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus (Sw.) Beauv.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 31)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 100)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1981) (voucher ID: BNM 3103) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus (Sw.) Beauv.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1981) (voucher ID: BNM 3024) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus (Sw.) Beauv.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Kayangel (Ngcheangel) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 8) Voucher: Lorence 9798 (PTBG, BNM, NY, US)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Kayangel (Ngcheangel) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2008) (voucher ID: PTBG 91) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 31)
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. 96)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1976) (voucher ID: BNM 10073) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus (Sw.) Beauv.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 96)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 58) Voucher: Lorence 9715 (PTBG, BNM, NY)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2008) (voucher ID: PTBG 8) Taxon name on voucher: Axonopus compressus
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngercheu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 58)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 96)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 106)
Papua New Guinea Bougainville Islands	Bougainville Island		Foreman, D. B. (1971) (p. 25)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (pp. 182-184)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 46) Voucher cited: Parham 9101
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 88)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced invasive	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 49)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island		Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 58) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15420
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 58) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15253
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Vanuatu (Republic of)		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 88)
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis (‘Uvea) Island	introduced invasive	Morat, Ph./Veillon, J.-M. (1985) Morat & Veillon, 1985, cited in Meyer, 2007
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis and Futuna Islands		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 46)

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)	Queensland	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (pp. 182-184)
Cambodia Cambodia	Cambodia (Kingdom of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 41)
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)
China China	China (People's Republic of)		Hafliger, Ernst/Scholz, Hildemar (1980) (p. 10)
China China	Hong Kong	introduced cultivated	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 324)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)
Japan Japan	Japan	introduced	Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 192)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Negara Brunei Darussalam Brunei	Brunei (Negara Brunei Darussalam)	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)		Forman, Leonard/Green, Peter S. (1998) (p. 10)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 17) Naturalised
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)
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island		Hafliger, Ernst/Scholz, Hildemar (1980) (p. plate)
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 105)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 41)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Frégate Island		Robertson, S. A./Todd, D. M. (1983) (p. 55) Voucher cited: Robertson 2665
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

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

Comments:  See also A. fissifolius.

Control:  If you know of control methods for Axonopus compressus, please let us know.