Ability to Respond Total:5 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:High
Confidence Notes:
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
Moderate to high spread, populations are limited to mesic and wet areas. Natal grass is native to semi-tropical areas and thrives in areas with more rainfall. Likely to be limited in dry parts of California. Populations have been spreading in Southern CA.
4
Spread Amount
Likely limited to areas with more moisture and limited frost. Primary areas it is invading are near coast and inland areas, in Southern California. Often found growing near roads or disturbed areas, then spreads into natural areas nearby.
3
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
In other states with more moisture it is much more aggressive, crowing out native plants. In CA it is often limited due to lack of moisture, however it is still spreading, crowds out native plants and adds fuels to areas where fuels are limited.
3
Agricultural
0
Infrastructure
Grows well on roadsides, and increases roadside fuels potentially increasing threat of wildfires where stands are large.
1
Cultural
0
Health
0
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
0
Agricultural
0
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Total
11
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
Moderate detection. Before flowering the grass is relatively inconspicuous and blends in with other vegetation. When flowering, seeds are distinct and easy to identify from a distance.
3
Control
Prolific seed producer, where the seeds blow in the wind. While individuals can be controlled, controlling the numerous seeds and seedlings that have dispersed away from the parent plants is time consuming and difficult, especially on slopes or rocky soil.
