Molasses Grass (Melinis minutiflora)
Hawai‘i-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment Score: 18 (High Risk). Visit Plant Pono for more
information.
Weed Fire Risk Score = 0.83 (This species is likely a high fire risk in Hawai’i); Visit Pacific Fire Exchange Weed Risk Assessments for more information
Regulatory Status: None
Prevention and Control Category: N/A
Description
- Sprawling perennial to 3.5 ft tall. Noticeable sweet odor. Leaves dull green, sticky, hairy, 10 inches long, 0.4 inches wide, ligule a row of hairs to 0.4 inches long. Inflorescence blooms in winter, initially dense, purple panicle, opens as it matures.
- Native to Africa, and now introduced to many parts of the tropics as a fodder plant.
Impacts
- Forms monotypic stands from rooted runners, and can smother surrounding vegetation.
- Adapted to fire, and the dense mats are generally only partly consumed.
- Regeneration from fire is rapid, enabling expansion into adjacent burned areas.
- Seeds dispersed by wind and in animal droppings.
Uses
- Considered a good forage grass.
Distribution
Naturalized and common in primarily dry to mesic, disturbed, usually open areas, 120-1,220 m, on all of the main islands except Ni’ihau.