|
Identification:
This large, clump forming grass is one of the fastest growing terrestrial plants in the world, growing 4 inches a day and up to 8 m (16 ft) tall. STIFF LEAVES have a CLASPING CONNECTION to the stem and have small hairs on margins which are felt when the leaf is rubbed in the wrong direction. Long leaves grow to up to 70 cm (2 ft) long in an alternate pattern in a SINGLE PLANE. LARGE PLUME SHAPED FLOWERS up to (1 m) 3 ft in length develop between March and September. Forms thick masses of scaly rhizomes (horizontal underground roots). HOLLOW STEMS.
Impacts: Giant reed grows in wet areas, such as in coastal areas, wetlands, alongs streams, ditches, and rivers. Once established this grass forms impenetrable thickets that can cover several acres with clonal root masses up to 3 feet thick. outcompete all other vegetation, traps debris, reduce water flow, and eliminates wildlife habitat. Giant reed is a Hawaii State Noxious Weed. It is illegal to introduce or transport any part of this plant in Hawaii.
Dispersal Mechanism: Giant reed is only known to grow in a few locations in Maui County and is currently being controled on Molokai (see Maui County maps). There are eight known populations on Kauai, most of them on the West side. If you see it anywhere else on Maui, Molokai, or Kauai- let us know!
More information about this pest 
|
|
Elephant Grass or Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum):
This tall grass is commonly found growing on roadsides and waterways around Maui County. Grows in large clumps with stems up 3.6 m (12 ft) tall. Older stems appear woody. Younger growth will often have blue to purple colored nodes. This grass produces tan bottle-brush-like flowers, much smaller than the giant reed. Leaves grow up to 50 cm (20 in) long and have rough edges which are felt when the leaf is rubbed in the wrong direction. LEAF MIDRIB strongly ridged.
|
|
|
Elephant grass is common along Hawaii roadways.
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=link}