Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Axonopus compressus


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 15


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.

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

Axonopus compressus (broadleaf carpet 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

y

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

2

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

y

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

y

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

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

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

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

y

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

1

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

y

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

y

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

n

8.02

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

y=1, n=-1

n

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:

15

Supporting data:

Source

Notes

1.01

No evidence.

1.02

It is naturalized in (1)India (2)Taiwan (3) Africa and (4)Australia

(1)Rollins, R. C. ans Taylor, G. The grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan. 1960. Pergamon Press. New York. (2)Chein-chang Hsu. Taiwan grasses. 1975. Taiwan provincial education association. Taipei. (3)Meredith, D. 1959. The grasses and pastures of South Africa. Cape times limited. Parow. C.P. (4) Tothill, J.C. and Hacker, J.B. 1983. The grasses of southern Queensland. University of Queensland press. London.

(1)278 (2)483 (3)391 (4)125

1.03

No evidence.

2.01

The species is native to southern America. 2)occurs naturally in Mexico, Central America, tropical South America and the West Indies, subhumid to humid woodland and savannah, flourishing in moist soils

Rotar, P. 1968. Grasses of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press. Honolulu. Hawaii. 2)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm

315

2.02

2.03

Requires moist habitat 2)Requires frequent irrigation, It has shallow roots that impart poor drought tolerance.

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm 2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_LH008

2.04

The species is native to southern America and has naturalized in several tropical and subtropical countries.

2.05

It is naturalized in (1)India (2)Taiwan (3) Africa and (4)Australia

(1)Rollins, R. C. ans Taylor, G. The grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan. 1960. Pergamon Press. New York. (2)Chein-chang Hsu. Taiwan grasses. 1975. Taiwan provincial education association. Taipei. (3)Meredith, D. 1959. The grasses and pastures of South Africa. Cape times limited. Parow. C.P. (4) Tothill, J.C. and Hacker, J.B. 1983. The grasses of southern Queensland. University of Queensland press. London.

(1)278 (2)483 (3)391 (4)125

3.01

It is naturalized in (1)India (2)Taiwan (3) Africa and (4)Australia

(1)Rollins, R. C. ans Taylor, G. The grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan. 1960. Pergamon Press. New York. (2)Chein-chang Hsu. Taiwan grasses. 1975. Taiwan provincial education association. Taipei. (3)Meredith, D. 1959. The grasses and pastures of South Africa. Cape times limited. Parow. C.P. (4) Tothill, J.C. and Hacker, J.B. 1983. The grasses of southern Queensland. University of Queensland press. London.

(1)278 (2)483 (3)391 (4)125

3.02

'Spraying test plots (0.4 x 0.4 m) of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon ) with 100 ml MSMA (2.0 or 6.0 ml a.i./litre) selectively controlled C. kyllingia, A. compressus and B. distachya, the 3 most troublesome weeds on golf courses in Singapore.'

Leong, C. C. 1987. MSMA for controlling Cyperus kyllingia, Axonopus compressus and Brachiara distachya in tifgreen Bermuda grass turf. Gardens' Bulletin 1987 Vol.40, No.2, pp.103-112.

Abstract (CAB)

3.03

(1)Listed as a 'serious' weed in Borneo, Brazil, Ceylon, Costa Rica, Ghana, India and Malaysia. (2) 'A survey of the weed flora associated with rubber plantations in Kerala, India was conducted during the post-monsoon period… The most dominant weeds of rubber plantations in all stages were Chromolaena odorata, Axonopus compressus…(3)Weed of rice paddies (4)Can become a troublesome weed itself. [Hawaii]

(1)Holm, L, Pancho, J.V.,Herberger,J.P. and Plucknett, D.L. 1979. A geogrpahical atlas of world weeds. John Wiley and sons. New York. Abraham-Mareen; (2)Abraham-C-T. 2000. Weed flora of rubber plantations in Kerala. Indian-Journal-of-Natural-Rubber-Research. 13 (1-2): 86-91. (3)http://www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk/iwe/fai/weed_suppressing_technology/weeds.htm (4)http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/SustainAg/CoverCrops/broadleaf_carpetgrass.asp

Abstract (BA)

3.04

No evidence.

41

3.05

(1) A. affinis is listed as a 'principal' weed in Brazil and Malaysia. A. cinicinus and A. scoparius area listed as 'weeds of unknown importance in Bangladesh and Colombia respectively. (2)Axonopus fissifolius is considered to be common or weedy in Niue and American Samoa.

(1)Holm, L, Pancho, J.V.,Herberger,J.P. and Plucknett, D.L. 1979. A geogrpahical atlas of world weeds. John Wiley and sons. New York (2)http://www.hear.org/pier/nappendix2.htm

4.01

No evidence.

(1)Rollins, R. C. ans Taylor, G. The grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan. 1960. Pergamon Press. New York. (2)Chein-chang Hsu. Taiwan grasses. 1975. Taiwan provincial education association. Taipei. (3)Meredith, D. 1959. The grasses and pastures of South Africa. Cape times limited. Parow. C.P. (4) Tothill, J.C. and Hacker, J.B. 1983. The grasses of southern Queensland. University of Queensland press. London.

4.02

Not allelopathic.

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

4.03

No evidence.

4.04

Low palatibility 2)Used for grazing in plantation crops (particularly coconut) but considered low quality forage. Frequent grazing is preferred to maintain palatability and quality

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi 2)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm

4.05

Toxicity none.

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

4.06

This webpage lists A.compressus to be host of 41 fungal species. No eivdence of it being a host to economically important insects. host of Rhizoctonia solani (widespread general soil pathogen)

http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

'This study attempts to demonstrate the existence of allergic contact dermatitis from grass, and to develop a patch test series to screen patients with grass intolerance. 6 common grass species from lawns and military training areas were collected. Solvent extracts of polar, non-polar and volatile fractions were prepared and used for patch testing in 20 control subjects and 46 patients with a history of grass intolerance. The 20 controls had negative responses to patch testing. 5 out of 46 patients had positive patch tests to Axonopus compressus (carpet grass), Ischaemum muticum (seashore centipede grass), Imperata cylindrica (lalang), Panicum maximum (Guinea grass) and Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass). Reactions to the non-polar fraction for all 5 species were noted. This study demonstrates the existence of allergic contact dermatitis from various common species of grass. In our series, this is seen in 11% of those with a history of grass intolerance.' -- Unfortunately this study used chemical extract

Koh-David {a}; Goh-C-L; Tan-H-T-W; Ng-S-K; Wong-W-K. 1997. Allergic contact dermatitis from grasses. Contact-Dermatitis. 37 (1) 32-34.

4.08

Fire resistant. Fire tolerance: medium

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

4.09

(1) Shade intolerant. Contradictory to (1) - (2) A. compressus showed the least sensitivity to amount of incident light and the highest IVDMD which indicated its potential as a shade-tolerant grass. 3)Shade tolerant

(1) http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi (2) Senanayake-S-G-J-N. 1995. The effects of different light levels on the nutritive quality of four natural tropical grasses. Tropical-Grasslands. 29 (2) 111-114. 3)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm

(2)Abstract (BA)

4.1

often outcompetes other grasses on infertile soils, tolerates soil pH range 4.0 – 7.0 , grows on a range of soil types, particularly sandy soils. 2) It does not grow well outside of acidic (pH: 5.0 to 5.5) soils

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm 2)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_LH008

4.11

It is not a vine but a low perennial grass.

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

4.12

Minimum plant density 7000/acre, Maximum plant density 18,000/acre. Cannot tell wether this is for natural population or under managed pastures.

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

5.01

5.02

perennial grass

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

5.03

5.04

6.01

No evidence of reproductive failure.

6.02

Seeds are yellow-brown, elliptical, 1.25 mm long

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm

6.03

hybridizes with A. affinis (narrowleaf carpet grass)

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm

6.04

No information.

6.05

No information. Probably not - it is a perennial grass and probably wind pollinated.

6.06

Propagation by seed and sprigs.

http://www.hear.org/pier/axcom.htm

6.07

1) Lateral spread 1 meter per year. 2)Flowers in first year (personal observation)

1)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm

7.01

Propagules do not have any means of attachment and hence may be unlikely to be dispersed unintentionally.

7.02

Used as a cultivated lawn grass in Australia and USA

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm

7.03

could be spread in silage, hay

7.04

Probably yes since it is a grass. No direct reference.

7.05

7.06

Possibly if fed upon but normally bird grinds grass grains killing the seed.

7.07

The propagules do not have any means of attachment.

7.08

No information.

8.01

Low and unreliable seed production

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm

8.02

Fruit/seed not persistant.

http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi

8.03

(1) 'Spraying test plots (0.4 x 0.4 m) of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon ) with 100 ml MSMA (2.0 or 6.0 ml a.i./litre) selectively controlled C. kyllingia, A. compressus and B. distachya, the 3 most troublesome weeds on golf courses in Singapore.' (2) 'In two trials in Misiones Province (N. Argentina) in 1975 best selective control of Axonopus compressus was obtained with MSMA 95% at 2.5 to 3 litres product/ha and dalapon at 6 to 8 kg product/ha. MSMA 95% at 2 litres product + dalapon 6 kg product/ha also gave good control without injuring yerba mate [Ilex paraguariensis]. Rates of the mixture may be reduced to MSMA 1.5 litre + dalapon 4 kg/ha in early spring.' 3)controlled as a weed by spraying with 1.1 kg MSMA + 0.6 kg sodium chlorate in 273 liters water.

(1) Leong, C. C. 1987. MSMA for controlling Cyperus kyllingia, Axonopus compressus and Brachiara distachya in tifgreen Bermuda grass turf. Gardens' Bulletin 1987 Vol.40, No.2, pp.103-112. (2) Magran, E. J.; Cordoba, L. M.; Arrua, M. B. 1976. An approach to the control of Jesuit grass (Axonopus compressus Beauv.) in yerba mate in the Campos area. Notas Tecnicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria No.21 pp. 4
3)http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm

Abstract (CAB)

8.04

1) it should be mown frequently, regrows from sprigs (tolerates cultivation)

http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/broadleaf_carpet_grass.htm

8.05

Don’t know.


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