Polypogon chilensis (Kunth) Pilg., Poaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  yes

Other Latin names:  Chaetotropis chilensis Kunth.

Habit:  grass

Description:  "Annual. Culms 60-120 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4-10 mm long; scaberulous on abaxial surface; lacerate. Leaf-blades 15-35 cm long; 5-9 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially, or on both sides. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Inflorescence a panicle. Panicle contracted; linear, or lanceolate; interrupted; 15-30 cm long; 1.5-3 cm wide. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle axis scabrous. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 2-4 mm long; scabrous. Fertile spikelets: Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 2.5-3 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with the pedicel. Floret callus glabrous. Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.5-3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein pectinately ciliate. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume hairs 0.2-0.5 mm long. Lower glume apex acute; muticous. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5-3 mm long; 1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein pectinately ciliate. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume hairs 0.2-0.5 mm long. Upper glume apex acute; muticous. Florets: Fertile lemma oblong; 1.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 4 -fid; truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 0.5-1 mm long overall; deciduous. Palea 0.4-0.5 length of lemma; hyaline; 0 -veined. Flower: Lodicules 2; 0.4 mm long; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.5-0.6 mm long. Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; 1.3 mm long. Embryo 0.25-0.33 length of caryopsis. Endosperm soft"  (GrassBase).

Habitat/ecology:  In New South Wales, Australia, "an uncommon weed of damp areas"  (NSW PlantNET).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Island)	introduced invasive	Atkinson, Rachel/Sawyer, John (2011) As Chaetotropis chilensis Kunth
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Island)	introduced invasive	Danton, Philippe/Perrier, Christophe/Martinez Reyes, Guido (2006) (p. 552) As Chaetotropis chilensis Kunth

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)	New South Wales	introduced invasive	National Herbarium of New South Wales (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Chile (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Polypogon chilensis, please let us know.