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Microlaena stipoides

(Labill.) R.Br. (1810)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Poales Family: Poaceae Genus: Microlaena

meadow rice grass, meadow ricegrass

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Flowers:

Fruit:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Accepted Subtaxa (in Hawai'i) (1)

Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Potentially naturalizing
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Potentially naturalizing
Kaho'olawe Unknown
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Other Animals

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland.: 210 (1810)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Microlaena stipoides Keokea, intersection of Koheo Pl. and Polipoli Rd Roadside weed in unmowed area Preserved_Specimen Common in shady places Faccenda, K. 2828 Maui BISH 2022-10-29
2 Microlaena stipoides Keauhou Ranch, Kau district. common in this area Beside Pu`u O`o road on edge of Acacia koa-Metrosideros forest with open understory. A`a` substrate. Preserved_Specimen Bunchgrass 2-2 1/2' tall. Cuddihy, L.W. 114 Hawaii BISH 1980-08-01
3 Microlaena stipoides Drive to Kipuka Puaulu located about 1.5 miles up the Mauna Loa Strip Road from intersection with Kona- Hilo Hwy Plant was about halfway around Kipuka Puaulu Naure Trail on side trail leading to the Big Koa tree. Preserved_Specimen Grass about 1 ft. tall Newell, C.L. 1046 Hawaii BISH 1967-06-28
4 Microlaena stipoides Puu Makaala Natural Area Reserve NEON Roadside MEPO5 CIGL mesic wet forest. Growing on rocky substrate in open sunlight. With Metrosideros polymorpha, Cibotium glaucum, Cheirodendron trigynum, Ilex anomala, Sadleria pallida, Axonopus fissifolius, Cyperus polystachyos, & Plantago major. Preserved_Specimen Flowering and fruiting. Uehana, S. 2023302 Hawaii BISH 2023-06-29
5 Microlaena stipoides Keanakolu Specimen collected is a herb; found on plot R. Preserved_Specimen Adee, K.T. Hawaii BISH 1978-05-30
6 Microlaena stipoides W Maui, Lihau Montane Ohia Mixed Forest at 4100 ft near an opening of the forest at the summit of Lihau, one plant found and pulled Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 1581 Maui BISH 1992-10-10
7 Microlaena stipoides Along Waahila ridge stretching from the mesic forest all the way to the summit. Specimen collected ~ 2,000 m from trailhead. Mesic ridetop partial shade growing along trail. Associates; Metrosideros polymorpha, Dicranopteris linearis, Rhynchospora caduca, Psidium cattleyanum, Miconia crenata, Citharexylum caudatum Preserved_Specimen Arthur, K. 131 Oahu BISH 2025-07-18
8 Microlaena stipoides Waianae Mts, Makua Valley, Ohikilolo Ridge Along ridgetop, associated with Schinus, Grevillea, Triumfetta semitriloba, Paspalum conjugatum, Microlepia strigosa, Axonopus fissifolius, Preserved_Specimen Keir, M. 22 Oahu BISH 2005-11-08
9 Microlaena stipoides Kilauea Forest, Kau District Of occasional occurrence in openings in closed Metrosideros-Acacia koa-Cibotium forest. Preserved_Specimen Erect spreading grass about 1.5 ft tall. Inflorescence open and drooping. Cuddihy, L.W. 479 Hawaii BISH 1980-07-22
10 Microlaena stipoides Waiakoa - Dr. Cooke's Place. Planted plants Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1829 Maui BISH 1937-04-13
11 Microlaena stipoides Koolau Mts, Waimano loop trail. Growing in partial sun on the upper portion of the waimano loop trail that leads to ridge in a dry mesic forest. Associates; Oplismenus hirtellus, Psidium cattleyanum, Schinus terebinthifolius, Cordyline fruiticosa, Diospyros sandwicensis. Preserved_Specimen K. Arthur 198 Oahu BISH 2025-10-30
12 Microlaena stipoides Haleakala Branch Station, Makawao Growing nicely in open grass garden. Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 2442 Maui BISH 1939-04-09
13 Microlaena stipoides Kapalama Ridge, Koolau mountains. Lowland mesic forest. Growing with Dicranopteris linearis, Rhynchospora sp., and Acacia koa. Preserved_Specimen Plant slender, ca. 30-40 cm. tall. Abundant along the trailside Ross, M.C. 1845 Oahu BISH 2022-11-20
14 Microlaena stipoides Kokee, Kumuwela Road ca. 1 mile past its junction with Mohihi Road Along road in area recently disturbed by logging. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 1093 Kauai BISH 1985-05-10
15 Microlaena stipoides N. Kona, Puu Lehua Ranch Heavy sod Preserved_Specimen Ewart III, G.R. Hawaii BISH 1934-08-20
16 Microlaena stipoides Puuwawa Hill, N Kona Preserved_Specimen Introduced grass, taking possesion Munro, G.C. 701 Hawaii BISH 1923-06-06
17 Microlaena stipoides Waianae Mountains, Ewa District Common in mixed Eucalyptus-Psidium cattleianum -Acacia koa forest along Palehua Road. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 3664 Oahu BISH 1987-06-14
18 Microlaena stipoides Kalaupapa; Puu Alii, LZ 3 Preserved_Specimen slender grass Hughes, G.D. 1132 Molokai BISH 2005-08-17
19 Microlaena stipoides Pualii. Along ridgeline bordering valley on southern side. Ahupuaa of Honouliuli. On slope of knoll and occasional along trail. Spreading into valleys on both side of ridge. Probably tracked by people. Preserved_Specimen Thomas, M.K. 1008 Oahu BISH 2025-03-13
20 Microlaena stipoides Puuwaawaa hill Preserved_Specimen Introduced grass, taking possesion Munro, G.C. 527 Hawaii BISH 1923-06-06
21 Microlaena stipoides Kahaluu Forest Reserve Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 190 Hawaii BISH 1966-08-06
22 Microlaena stipoides Kau District Off foot print trail at ca. 1.6 km point. In Ohia tree area at ca 950 m. In partly open conditions. Common. Preserved_Specimen Herat, T. 764 Hawaii BISH 1974-06-25
23 Microlaena stipoides Southwest flank of Mauna Loa, in a kipuka, in the ahupuaa of Manuka Closed Metrosideros forest on weathered aa, with soil formation, understory consisting of Cibotium, Coprosma, Myoporum, Myrsine and Vaccinium. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. Hawaii BISH 1977-08-06
24 Microlaena stipoides Kauai, Wai'ale'ale, incredibly wet area at summit rim. Wet, open bog. Preserved_Specimen Small patch about 4 m wide along fence, this the only patch seen at the summit, more colonies are found at lower elevations. Faccenda, K. 3546 Kauai BISH 2024-06-18
25 Microlaena stipoides SE flank of Mauna Loa, in the ahupuaa of Puu Ohohia Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 6335 Hawaii BISH 1977-09-20
26 Microlaena stipoides Kona Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Hawaii BISH 1937-02-01
27 Microlaena stipoides East Maui, Waiakoa, Dr. C. M. Cooke's place Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1829 Maui BISH 1937-04-13
28 Microlaena stipoides East Maui, pastures above Olinda. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. Maui BISH 1976-05-22
29 Microlaena stipoides Hanalilolilo Trail between Kauai Ridge and Pepeopae Preserved_Specimen Anderson, S.J. Molokai BISH 1986-10-17
30 Microlaena stipoides Site 22 OS, Piihonua, Hilo Forest Reserve Preserved_Specimen Adee, K.T. Hawaii BISH 1979-06-19
31 Microlaena stipoides Puu Waawa Preserved_Specimen Smith, J.G. Hawaii BISH 1902-10-01
32 Microlaena stipoides Near Wailuku river Preserved_Specimen Adee, K.T. Hawaii BISH
33 Microlaena stipoides Ulupalakua Ranch, land of Keauhou S of Puu Io in shaded site under Eucalyptus Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5662 Maui BISH 1986-07-12
34 Microlaena stipoides Puuwaawaa Open forest. Preserved_Specimen Hitchcock, A.S. 14465 Hawaii BISH 1916-08-30
35 Microlaena stipoides East Maui, Waiakoa Rd, Kula On side of rd. Puffy dry ash substrate. Associated vegetation: Eucalyptus sp, Passiflora mollissima, Acacia mearnsii. Preserved_Specimen Erect annual grass. Starr, F. 207024 Maui BISH 2002-07-02
36 Microlaena stipoides Waianae Mts., Palikea, Mauna Kapu Common along trail by and around old Camp (house). Dry to damp, shaded area. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 166 Oahu BISH 1966-07-29
37 Microlaena stipoides Hawaii Volcanoes Nat'l Park along Crater Rim Trail, Kilauea Iki Crater, between research area and Thurston Lava Tube; in Metrosideros forest Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4861 Hawaii BISH 1983-07-26
38 Microlaena stipoides Lanai city, Lanaihale, northern part about 1 km from Keomoku Rd. Roadside, shady, dry. Preserved_Specimen Small patch of about 200 plants only seen at this one spot. Faccenda, K. 3215 Lanai BISH 2023-06-23
39 Microlaena stipoides East Maui, Makawao District, Kula FR, Waiohuli In area burned in January 2007. Preserved_Specimen Clumping grass. Oppenheimer, H.L. 70712 Maui BISH 2007-07-20
40 Microlaena stipoides Kona District, land Keauhou, above Kahaluu Forest Reserve about 4.7 miles above the lower forest reserve gate Growing in open area between jeep road and wet Metrosideros forest. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5408 Hawaii BISH 1975-07-15
41 Microlaena stipoides Puu Makaala Natural Area Reserve NEON Roadside, in MEPO5/ACKO mesic forest with CIGL. With Metrosideros polymorpha, Acacia koa, Cibotium glaucum, Cheirodendron trigynum, Ilex anomala, Vaccinium calycinum, Sadleria pallida, Broussaisia arguta, Alyxia stellata, & Prunella vulgaris. Preserved_Specimen Fruiting. Uehana, S.T. 2022001 Hawaii BISH 2022-04-18
42 Microlaena stipoides Keauhou Ranch, Kau district Beside Pu'u O'o road on edge of Acacia koa-Metrosideros forest with open understory. A'a substrate. Common in area. Preserved_Specimen Bunchgrass 2-2.5 ft tall Cuddihy, L.W. 115 Hawaii BISH 1980-01-08
43 Microlaena stipoides Southwest flank of Mauna Loa, in th ahupuaa of Kapua Metrosideros, Dryopteris, Eupatorium, and Vaccinium calycinum on soil. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 6075 Hawaii BISH 1977-07-12
44 Microlaena stipoides Southwest flank of Mauna Loa, in a kipuka, in the ahupuaa of Manuka Closed Metrosideros forest with scattered Acacia with Cibotium, Coprosma, Myrsine on soil and a`a. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 6218 Hawaii BISH 1977-07-21
45 Microlaena stipoides Ca. 60 m up jeep road near Thurston Lava Tube parking lot. Plant about 60 m north into Cibotium forest. (Plot 4) Metrosideros-Cibotium-Sadleria forest community. Preserved_Specimen Grass ca. 2 ft. tall. Newell, C.L. 931 Hawaii BISH 1967-06-20
46 Microlaena stipoides Waiawa Gulch National Guard area, Manana, Ewa District, Oahu Growing along edge of lawn areas in moist areas. Preserved_Specimen tall, slender grass to 2 ft. ht. Inflorescences on slender peduncles, nodding. Nagata, K.M. 1390 Oahu BISH 1976-11-01
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