Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult., Poaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Reject, score: 11 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Cenchrus polystachios (L.) Morrone; Cenchrus setosus SW.; Panicum polystachion L.; Pennisetum polystachyon (L.) Schultes; Pennisetum setosum (Sw.) L. Rich.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chamorro: sakate

Chinese: mu di lang wei cao

Chuukese: mechen katu

English: blue buffle grass, feather pennisetum, feathery pennisetum, mission grass, West Indian pennisetum

Fijian: o tamata

French: queue de chat

Palauan: desum

Pohnpeian: poakso

Habit:  grass

Description:  "Tufted annual [grass]; culms slender to moderately stout, up to 2 m tall, usually 1-2 m, simple or few-branched; blades 5-40 cm long, 5-18 mm wide, glabrous or pubescent; spike dense, yellow brown, 5-25 cm long, 13-26 mm wide; spikelets surrounded by bristles, these densely hairy at base, unequal, one longer than the others but not greatly exceeding the next one or two shorter ones, 12-25 mm long; spikelets 2-flowered c. 5 mm long, upper floret perfect" (Stone, 1970; pp. 221-222).

Description from GrassBase.

Habitat/ecology:  "The plant inhabits disturbed areas including roadsides, degraded pastures and waste sites" (Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 185).  "Forest gaps and edges, woodland, disturbed sites.  This grass is well adapted to soils of low fertility and occurs mainly in grasslands on sandy soils where native.  It grows quickly and is fairly shade tolerant.  It becomes dominant in cleared forests and spreads quickly after fires, forming dense tussocks that may cover large areas.  Native plants are displaced and natural regeneration of trees and shrubs in prevented"  (Weber, 2003; p. 312).

In Australia, "provides fuel for extremely hot, late season fires and may have altered natural fire regimes" (Smith, 1995, cited in Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 185). In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in dry to mesic exposed areas, usually in low elevation alien communities, agricultural areas, and disturbed dry to mesic forest, 30-2,140 m"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1579).  In Fiji, "naturalized from sea level to about 1,000 m. on open hillsides, in rocky stream beds, and along roadsides.  It grows in very dense stands and is the dominant plant on open hills in certain areas miles in extent, especially in the dry zones of Viti Levu but also in parts of Vanua Levu"  (Smith, 1979; pp. 359-360).

Propagation:  "Reproduction occurs from seeds which are light and fluffy.  The seeds can be dispersed by flowing water, strong winds or they may adhere to clothing, vehicle radiators, wool and bags" (Smith, 1995; Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992, cited in Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 185).

Native range:  Tropical Africa to India, now rather commonly introduced in warm regions.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Northern Mariana Islands	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 101)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane (2000) (p. 6)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C. (1980) (pp. 202-203) Voucher cited: Fosberg & Moore 58271 (US, BISH)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1978) (voucher ID: BISH 438392) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1978) (voucher ID: BISH 438394) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 540132) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1966) (voucher ID: BISH 588129) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1987) (voucher ID: PTBG 38712) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Saipan Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. 3)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Saipan Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1986) (voucher ID: BISH 572386) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1982) (pp. 84-86) Forma viviparum Fosberg & Sachet; voucher cited: Fosberg 59907 (US, BISH, POM)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1952) (voucher ID: BISH 126460) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1985) (voucher ID: BISH 572385) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1980) (voucher ID: BISH 595690) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 29)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
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. 29)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1980) (voucher ID: BISH 588126) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Yanagi Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1993) (voucher ID: BISH 633389) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (pp. 6, 28) Voucher: BMW 5767 (BISH, BRI, GUAM)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 10) Vouhcer cited: KW 14091 Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 63)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, Barbara (year unknown) (p. Voucher specimen) Voucher: BMW 5784 (BISH, BRI)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 60) Vouchers cited: E. Albert 52 (NY, PTBG), B. Ekiek (NY, PTBG), F.R. Fosberg 58425 (BISH), N.L.H. Krauss 1904 (BISH), S. Perlman 21406 (PTBG), L. Stemmermann 2929 (BISH), B.M. Waterhouse BMW5784 (BISH) Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Falanruw, M. V. C. (1980) (pp. 202-203) Voucher cited: Fosberg 58425 (US)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1977) (voucher ID: BISH 432418) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1987) (voucher ID: BISH 511195) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1978) (voucher ID: BISH 561222) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ulithi Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ulithi Atoll	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1982) (pp. 84-86) Forma viviparum Fosberg & Sachet; voucher cited: Fosberg 46499 (US, BISH, DAV, L)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ulithi Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1965) (voucher ID: BISH 588125) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ulithi Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1965) (voucher ID: BISH 595688) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1979) (pp. 359-360) Vouchers cited: DA 16687, DA 16877
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1969) (voucher ID: BISH 31615) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1979) (pp. 359-360) Vouchers cited: DA 16687, DA 16877
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1963) (voucher ID: BISH 31616) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 126450) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 126451) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1927) (voucher ID: BISH 126452) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
French Polynesia French Polynesia Islands	French Polynesia Islands		Waterhouse, D. F. (1997) (p. 64)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 105)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Voucher cited: J. Florence 10718 (PAP) Adventice
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1991) (voucher ID: BISH 640886) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (pp. 221-222) Voucher cited: Stone 4706 (GUAM)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55) Var. polystachion and viviparum
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 95)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Falanruw, Marjorie (1999) (p. 3)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1982) (pp. 84-86) Forma viviparum Fosberg & Sachet; vouchers cited: Fosberg 59748 (US, holotype; BISH, POM, isotypes), Stone 4204 (US, GUAM), Tsutsui 25 (US)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1956) (voucher ID: BISH 126459) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1962) (voucher ID: BISH 126816) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 588127) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1965) (voucher ID: BISH 588128) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 588130) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1980) (voucher ID: BISH 595689) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion f. viviparum Fosberg & Sachet
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 699981) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1579)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaho‘olawe Island	introduced	Wester, Lyndon (1992) (p. 122)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2004) (p. 27) Voucher cited: Starr & Starr 020226-5 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1579) Voucher cited: Munro 533 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Martz, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2002) (p. 23) East Maui. Voucher cited: Starr & Martz 980506-135 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2003) (p. 30) Vouchers cited: (West Maui) Starr & Martz 001209-1 (BISH); (East Maui) Starr & Martz 010201-1 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim (2011) (p. 30) West Maui. Voucher cited: Starr & Starr 090708-01 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced	Wester, Lyndon (1992) (p. 122)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1579)
Japan (offshore islands) Marcus Island	Marcus Island (Minami Tori Shima)	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Butaritari Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Butaritari Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 402220) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Butaritari Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 402221) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Butaritari Atoll		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1972) (voucher ID: PTBG 30837) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced invasive	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 52)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1988) (voucher ID: BISH 606417) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 86)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1996) (voucher ID: BISH 649685) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1996) (voucher ID: BNM 26460) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schultes
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 82)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 12)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 82)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Canfield, Joan E. (1980) (p. 193) Voucher cited: Otobed P-10110 (US)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 12)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1978) (voucher ID: BISH 427450) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1978) (voucher ID: BNM 10110) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1981) (voucher ID: BNM 3124) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schultes
Palau Palau (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 82)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 90)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (pp. 367-371)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Guadalcanal Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1985) (voucher ID: BISH 647142) Taxon name on voucher: Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 95)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced invasive	Whitmore, T. C. (1969) (p. 261)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced invasive	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 98)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 55)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1969) (p. 5) Vouchers cited: Sachet 906 (US), Fosberg 43538 (US), McFarlane 76 (US)
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Vanuatu (Republic of)		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 95)

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)	Northern Territory	introduced invasive cultivated	Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. (1998) (p. 185)
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (pp. 367-371)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive cultivated	Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. (1998) (p. 185)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (pp. 367-371)
Cambodia Cambodia	Cambodia (Kingdom of)	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (p. 191)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (pp. 367-371)
China China	Hong Kong	introduced cultivated	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 343) As Pennisetum polystachyon (L.) Schult.
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (pp. 367-371)
Japan Japan	Japan (country)	introduced	Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 192) As Pennisetum setosum L. C. Rich.
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1994) (p. 191)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)		Hafliger, Ernst/Scholz, Hildemar (1980) (p. 114)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 67) Naturalised
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (pp. 367-371)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1994) (p. 191)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island		Stoddart, D. R./Taylor, J. D., eds. (1971) (p. 146) Vouchers cited: Stoddart 856 (K, US), Wiehe 1623 (MAU)
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. Arthur (1996) (p. 25)
French Territory of Mayotte Mayotte Islands	Mayotte Island	introduced invasive	Comité français de l'Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature en France (2010)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	D'Arros Island		Stoddart, D. R./Coe, M. J./Fosberg, F. R. (1979) (p. 20) Voucher cited: Stoddart 7222 (US)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Frégate Island		Robertson, S. A./Todd, D. M. (1983) (p. 58) Voucher cited: Robertson 2688

Comments:  An aggressive weed species. On U.S. Federal noxious weed list. Declared a noxious weed in the Northern Territory, Australia (Smith, 1995, cited in Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 185).

Found on airport on Kosrae and a few other places—probably a relatively new introduction (Space et al., 2000).

Also var. viviparum Fosb. & Sachet reported on Tinian, Guam and Ulithi.

Control: 

Physical:  "Control should aim at preventing seed formation and destroy the soil seed bank.  Scattered plants can be hand pulled or dug out".

Chemical:  "Seedlings are best sprayed with paraquat.  Dense stands can be treated with glyphosate" (Weber, 2003; p. 312).

Biological: See Waterhouse (1994; pp. 190-194) for presently known natural enemies.

Additional information:
Photo and additional information at the University of Guam "Plants of Guam" web site.
Information from the Global Invasive Species Database.

Additional online information about Pennisetum polystachion is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Pennisetum polystachion as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Pennisetum polystachion may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.). 1978. Voucher specimen #BNM10110(Otobed, D.O. PW-10110).

Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.). 1981. Voucher specimen #BNM3124(Timberlake, J. 3124).

Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.). 1996. Voucher specimen #BNM26460(Singeo, Y. LR26460).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1927. Voucher specimen #BISH 126452 (Gillespie, J.W. 3671).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1946. Voucher specimen #BISH 588127 (Hosaka, E.Y. 3105).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1947. Voucher specimen #BISH 126450 (Smith, A.C. 4263).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1947. Voucher specimen #BISH 126451 (Smith, A.C. 6282).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1950. Voucher specimen #BISH 699981 (Fosberg, F.R. 31254).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1952. Voucher specimen #BISH 126460 (Kondo, Y. 31).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1953. Voucher specimen #BISH 588130 (Fosberg, F.R. 35204).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1956. Voucher specimen #BISH 126459 (McGourin, T.F.; collector's voucher number unknown).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1962. Voucher specimen #BISH 126816 (Pedrus, P. 42).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1963. Voucher specimen #BISH 31616 (Koroiveibau, D. 13186).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1965. Voucher specimen #BISH 588125 (Fosberg, F.R. 46498).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1965. Voucher specimen #BISH 588128 (Evans, M. 739).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1965. Voucher specimen #BISH 595688 (Fosberg, F.R. 46499).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1966. Voucher specimen #BISH 588129 (Evans, M. 1958).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1969. Voucher specimen #BISH 31615 (Smith, A.C. 16877).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1972. Voucher specimen #BISH 402220 (Herbst, D.R. 2771).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1972. Voucher specimen #BISH 402221 (Herbst, D.R. 2771).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1977. Voucher specimen #BISH 432418 (Stemmermann, R.L. 2929).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1978. Voucher specimen #BISH 427450 (Otobed, D.O. PW-10110).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1978. Voucher specimen #BISH 438392 (Fosberg, F.R. 58271).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1978. Voucher specimen #BISH 438394 (Fosberg, F.R. 58291).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1978. Voucher specimen #BISH 561222 (Fosberg, F.R. 58425).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1980. Voucher specimen #BISH 588126 (Fosberg, F.R. 60183).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1980. Voucher specimen #BISH 595689 (Fosberg, F.R. 59748).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1980. Voucher specimen #BISH 595690 (Fosberg, F.R. 59907).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1982. Voucher specimen #BISH 540132 (Raulerson, L. 1504).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1985. Voucher specimen #BISH 572385 (Sigaoat, R. LR8865).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1985. Voucher specimen #BISH 647142 (N.L.Krauss 1791).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1986. Voucher specimen #BISH 572386 (Raulerson, L. 12992).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1987. Voucher specimen #BISH 511195 (Krauss, N. 1904).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1988. Voucher specimen #BISH 606417 (Herbst, D.R. 9189).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1991. Voucher specimen #BISH 640886 (Florence 10718).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1993. Voucher specimen #BISH 633389 (A.K.Kepler 93-123).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1996. Voucher specimen #BISH 649685 (Singeo, Y. LR26460).

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