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Urochloa maxima

(Jacq.) R.D.Webster (1987)

This name is accepted

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

colonial guinea, fiberglass grass, green panic, Guinea grass, mau‘u pulumi (Ni‘ihau via St. John), mini-guinea

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Flowers:

Fruit:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

Synonyms (45)

Megathyrsus bivonanus (Brullo, Miniss., Scelsi & Spamp.) Verloove (2005)
Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K.Simon & S.W.L.Jacobs (2003)
Megathyrsus maximus var. coloratus (C.T.White) B.K.Simon & S.W.L.Jacobs (2003)
Megathyrsus maximus var. pubiglumis (K.Schum.) B.K.Simon & S.W.L.Jacobs (2003)
Milium arundinaceum J.Koenig ex Steud. (1853)
Panicum airoides Flüggé ex Nees (1829)
Panicum bivonianum Brullo, Miniss., Scelsi & Spamp. (1995)
Panicum compressum Biv. (1818)
Panicum confine Hochst. ex A.Rich. (1850)
Panicum eburneum Trin. (1834)
Panicum giganteum Mez (1904)
Panicum heynei Roth (1817)
Panicum hirsutissimum Steud. (1853)
Panicum jumentorum Pers. (1805)
Panicum laeve Lam. (1791)
Panicum mahafalense A.Camus (1925)
Panicum mananarense A.Camus (1959)
Panicum maximum Jacq. (1781)
Panicum maximum subsp. commune (Nees) Peter (1930)
Panicum maximum subsp. pubescens M.Sharma (1985)
Panicum maximum var. altissimum Kuntze (1898)
Panicum maximum var. coloratum C.T.White (1938)
Panicum maximum var. commune Nees (1841)
Panicum maximum var. confine Chiov. (1902)
Panicum maximum var. effusum A.Camus (1959)
Panicum maximum var. glaucum Nees (1841)
Panicum maximum var. heterotrichum Peter (1930)
Panicum maximum var. hirsutissimum (Steud.) Oliv. (1875)
Panicum maximum var. hirsutum Peter (1930)
Panicum maximum var. laeve Nees (1841)
Panicum maximum var. obtusissimum A.Chev. (1911)
Panicum maximum var. pubiglume K.Schum. (1895)
Panicum maximum var. trichoglume Robyns (1932)
Panicum pamplemoussense Steud. (1853)
Panicum poiforme Willd. ex Spreng. (1824)
Panicum polygamum Sw. (1788)
Panicum praelongum Steud. (1853)
Panicum praticola Salzm. ex Döll (1877)
Panicum scaberrimum Lag. (1816)
Panicum sparsum Schumach. (1827)
Panicum teff Desv. (1831)
Panicum tephrosanthum Hack. (1901)
Panicum trichocondylum Steud. (1853)
Panicum trichoglume K.Schum. (1894)
Urochloa maxima var. trichoglumis (Robyns) R.D.Webster (1987)

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Wind

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Austral. Paniceae: 241 (1987)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1569 (Ni, K, O, Mo, L, M, Ka, H [as Panicum maximum]); Starr et al. 2002:22 (Mi); Simon & Jacobs 2003:572 (Syn. P. maxima = Megathyrsus maximus); Wagner et al. 2012:97/Tomaszewska et al. 2023/Faccenda 2025b:125 (Syn. M. maximus = U. maxima); Holthuijzen 2017 (Mi†, 2008)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Urochloa maxima Koloa District, Lawai Valley, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lower valley Secondary vegetation of Leucaena, Panicum, Chloris, Digitaria, and planted Erythrina. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 6150 Kauai BISH 1997-05-06
2 Urochloa maxima Westloch Naval Magazine Area, S of West Loch Pearl Harbor On coral soil. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 65086 Oahu BISH 1985-10-01
3 Urochloa maxima In the Univ. of Hawaii quarry, at base of steps leading down from Dole St. parking lot across from Bachman Hall. Wet Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 17 Oahu BISH 1966-03-19
4 Urochloa maxima Kalihi, intersection of Kapalama Ave. and School St Growing out of shrub on edge of property Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 3024 Oahu BISH 2023-01-24
5 Urochloa maxima Palehua Growing in shady mesic hillside. Associates; Schinus terebinthifolia, Toona ciliata, Megathyrsus maximus, Psidium cattleyanum. Preserved_Specimen Arthur, K. 125 Oahu BISH 2025-06-13
6 Urochloa maxima Tantalus Dr., vicinity of 5th switchback (ca .5 km above housing development) Sunny roadside Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 1865 Oahu BISH 2021-05-22
7 Urochloa maxima Kapaa Quary Road, Airplane Field Edge of airplane field, weedy area filled in with Panicum maximum, compacted mesic soil. Preserved_Specimen Crago, L.M. 2005020 Oahu BISH 2005-01-21
8 Urochloa maxima Dole St. Base of Wa'ahila ridge Infrequently mowed roadside, part to full sun. Rather dry Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 1723 Oahu BISH 2021-02-12
9 Urochloa maxima Parker Ranch, Kaala Planted pasture, wet. Preserved_Specimen Ewart III, G.R. 321 Hawaii BISH 1934-02-16
10 Urochloa maxima Waianae Mts., Palikea (Mauna Kapu Trail) in dry gulch; assoc. w/ Klu, Santalum sp. Very common at lower el. in this area, but not found along trail Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 32 Oahu BISH 1966-03-26
11 Urochloa maxima Makapu'u point, about 200m away from summit lookout Dry, sunny area Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2229 Oahu BISH 2022-02-12
12 Urochloa maxima Waimea Canyon Dr., about 400m up the road from the edge of the town, makai of Panini Ln Dry, exposed roadside, from hard soil on a S. facing slope Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2462 Kauai BISH 2022-06-02
13 Urochloa maxima Ho'olehua, intersection of Nenehanaupo Ave and Rt 480 Roadside weed and dominant across grasslands in area, dry, sunny or partially shaded areas Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2922 Molokai BISH 2022-12-27
14 Urochloa maxima East Maui, Hana District, Kauiki in the E side of Hana Bay, summit area Dominated by Casuarina planted in late 1930s but with numerous other alien species (Terminalia, Syzygium, Ardisia). Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2511 Maui BISH 1987-10-21
15 Urochloa maxima Ewa; Mauka of Varona Village In abandoned sugar cane fields. Assoc. with Waltheria, Momordica. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 4436 Oahu BISH 1996-10-01
16 Urochloa maxima Honolulu, cultivated on my Lanai, Plant originally collected in Waimanalo at the UH experimental farm Cultivated in pot Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2136 Oahu BISH 2021-10-23
17 Urochloa maxima Palehua Growing in shady mesic hillside. Associates; Schinus terebinthifolia, Toona ciliata, Megathyrsus maximus, Psidium cattleyanum. Preserved_Specimen Arthur, K. 125 Oahu BISH 2025-06-13
18 Urochloa maxima By Visitor Center and main ruins, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Predominantly exotic vegetation; area highly modified by ancient Polynesians. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10311 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-08
19 Urochloa maxima Pupukea-Paumalu, Koolauloa, Koolau Mts In Waltheria herbland pasture, in plateau region. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 3775 Oahu BISH 1987-12-11
20 Urochloa maxima Palawai Basin, old piggery. Dry, sunny, disturbed area on edge of parking area. Dominant across landscape in area Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 3178 Lanai BISH 2023-06-22
21 Urochloa maxima Waianae kai. Next to shelter at trailhead. Growing in dry forest with Macadamia, Toona, Schinus, and Psidiuim. Abundant along road with more typical looking Megathyrsus maximus. Preserved_Specimen Thomas, M.K. 807 Oahu BISH 2024-10-10
22 Urochloa maxima Waiahole, across Kamehameha Hwy toward the ocean, between Waiahole Homestead and Valley Road. Walk a dirt road in Hibiscus tiliaceus boardering a swampy area. Plot 9091, US Forest Service Pacific HibTil dominant area w/ CitCau, SyzCum, Leuleu, WedTri, Pen Dominant in open swampy areas. Up to 6 ft tall. Hairs on stem and on margins of leaves. aLvs dark green daaxially, dull but dark green below. White hairs on stem. Inflorescence speaading, bracts red-brown Preserved_Specimen Tangalin, N. 2242 Oahu BISH 2010-01-19
23 Urochloa maxima Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Oahu Growing along the edges of the ponds throughout the refuge in dry to wet soil conditions. Preserved_Specimen Crago, L.M. 2005069 Oahu BISH 2005-02-23
24 Urochloa maxima Naalehu, Kau. Lantana pasture, dry place Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1440 Hawaii BISH 1936-07-20
25 Urochloa maxima W Maui, Lahaina District, Lihau Lowland Ohia Mixed Mesic Shrubland at 3000 ft with low statured Metrosideros, Dodonaea, Styphelia, Wikstroemia, Osteomeles, Dubautia linearis, Gahnia, Pityrogramma, Sphenomeris, Pteridium, Trisetum inaequale, Cocculus, Carex and Psilotum Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 1499 Maui BISH 1992-01-10
26 Urochloa maxima Kiei Islet on summit Rare. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 6040621 Lanai BISH 2006-04-06
27 Urochloa maxima East Maui, Hana District, Ka Iwi O Pele; NE slope Secondary forest dominated by Hibiscus, Eucalyptus, Casuarina, Schinus and Ardisia; with Sporobolus in Casuarina grove. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2625 Maui BISH 1987-11-13
28 Urochloa maxima Palaau, W side of Molokai airport In pineapple field; dry, exposed, windy. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5095 Molokai BISH 1974-11-11
29 Urochloa maxima Waimea District, Hanapepe, Port Allen, just north of Burns Field at junction of Lokokai Road and Lele Road Secondary vegetation dominated by Cenchrus ciliaris with Eragrostis, Eleusine, and Echinochloa. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 5926 Kauai BISH 1996-01-11
30 Urochloa maxima Along road leading to Kaluanui Valley In old sugar cane field. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1978-03-21
31 Urochloa maxima Near Kekaha Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5235 Kauai BISH 1975-02-26
32 Urochloa maxima In the Univ. of Hawaii quarry, at base of steps leading down from Dole St. parking lot across from Bachman Hall. Wet Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 17 Oahu BISH 1966-03-19
33 Urochloa maxima Univ. of Hawaii, Manoa campus Construction site. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1366 Oahu BISH 1969-01-04
34 Urochloa maxima Hanamaulu, Lihue Edge of pasture Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1654 Kauai BISH 1936-11-04
35 Urochloa maxima Honolulu, Pensacola St., Hawaii Agriculture Experimental Station Grass in cultivated plot Preserved_Specimen Wong, R. Oahu BISH
36 Urochloa maxima Waimea Canyon Lookout Edge of parking lot Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2509 Kauai BISH 2022-07-05
37 Urochloa maxima East Maui, Makawao District, Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Kipuka at the head of the trail towards Pohaku Paea from the midstop along Makena-Keoneoio Road Pockets of vegetation in a'a lava and at roadside. Preserved_Specimen Abbott, I.A. 91.44 Maui BISH 1991-03-06
38 Urochloa maxima West Maui, Lahaina District, Honokahua Clumping grass growing in very disturbed open field Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 100308 Maui BISH 2003-10-15
39 Urochloa maxima Waiehu sand dune area, near golf course In open area along cane fields; associated with Mirabilis, Leucaena. Preserved_Specimen Ishikawa, S. 315 Maui BISH 1973-11-29
40 Urochloa maxima Waialae On edge of alfalfa fields. Preserved_Specimen Hadden, F.C. 310 Oahu BISH 1927-04-04
41 Urochloa maxima PTBG, Lawai Valley Along valley floor. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2287 Kauai BISH 1972-01-03
42 Urochloa maxima West Maui, Waihee, Maui Coastal Land Trust coastal wetland property south of Waihee Point Closed Prosopis pallida forest on sandy soil, thick understory of of Guinea grass with Mirabilis jalapa, Asystasia gangetica, some Pluchea carolinensis and Leucaena leucocephala. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 200450 Maui BISH 2004-09-17
43 Urochloa maxima Kunia Roadside; sugar cane. Preserved_Specimen Swarbrick, J.T. 0.55 Oahu BISH 1976-01-07
44 Urochloa maxima Kula, Crater road ca. 1 km E of rt 337 Roadside weed, disturbed area Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2814 Maui BISH 2022-10-27
45 Urochloa maxima Whitmore village, Whitmore Rd., about 500 m up from Rt 80 Roadsides and field Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 3005 Oahu BISH 2023-01-18
46 Urochloa maxima Kii, 0.2 mi W Beside trail. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 23605 Niihau BISH 1949-03-29
47 Urochloa maxima Tantalus Dr., vicinity of 5th switchback (ca .5 km above housing development) Sunny roadside Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 1865 Oahu BISH 2021-05-22
48 Urochloa maxima Outside Akaka Falls State Park Roadside, moist sunny area Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2352 Hawaii BISH 2022-03-06
49 Urochloa maxima W Maui, Lahaina District, Honolua Bay, near Honoapiilani Hwy Common in secondary forest. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 99904 Maui BISH 1999-09-05
50 Urochloa maxima Ka'iwi shoreline, within 20m of Kalaniana'ole highway Dry, sunny sand. With Kiawe and Leucaena Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2119 Oahu BISH 2021-09-25
51 Urochloa maxima West Maui, Waihee, Maui Coastal Land Trust coastal wetland property south of Waihee Point Closed Prosopis pallida forest on sandy soil, thick understory of of Guinea grass with Mirabilis jalapa, Asystasia gangetica, some Pluchea carolinensis and Leucaena leucocephala. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 200449 Maui BISH 2004-09-17
52 Urochloa maxima Kapaa Quary Road, Airplane Field Edge of airplane field, weedy area filled in with Panicum maximum, compacted mesic soil. Preserved_Specimen Crago, L.M. 2005020 Oahu BISH 2005-01-21
53 Urochloa maxima Pupukea-Paumalu, Koolauloa, Koolau Mts In Waltheria herbland pasture, in plateau region. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 3775 Oahu BISH 1987-12-11
54 Urochloa maxima At Kamoa State Historical Park, North Kona Growing occasionally, particularly in cleared area. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Hawaii BISH 1985-09-03
55 Urochloa maxima Ewa; Mauka of Varona Village Occasional clumping grass in abandoned sugar cane fields. More abundant along gulches & moist areas. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 4435 Oahu BISH 1996-09-27
56 Urochloa maxima UH Experimental farm at Waimanalo Open exposed moist area which surprisingly did not have many plants growing on it Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2032 Oahu BISH 2021-07-10
57 Urochloa maxima Oahu Sugar Co In cane fields. Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. Oahu BISH 1945-10-01
58 Urochloa maxima Univ. of Hawaii farm, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Nitta, K. 9151 Oahu BISH 1930-04-28
59 Urochloa maxima Kohala Preserved_Specimen Barnum, C.C. 240 Hawaii BISH
60 Urochloa maxima Along hwy near Kailua-Kona Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5034 Hawaii BISH 1974-09-18
61 Urochloa maxima Ahupu Valley, near bay, near water tank Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. 719 Kahoolawe BISH 1931-02-13
62 Urochloa maxima Kalaupapa; Waihanau Preserved_Specimen Hughes, G.D. 1109 Molokai BISH 2004-12-02
63 Urochloa maxima Keauhou Preserved_Specimen Fagerlund, G.O. 391 Hawaii BISH 1943-02-20
64 Urochloa maxima Pohakea Trial Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 402 Oahu BISH 1982-05-27
65 Urochloa maxima Univ. of Hawaii farm, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Nitta, K. 10727 Oahu BISH 1930-04-28
66 Urochloa maxima SW of Dillingham Ranch, Kawaihapai Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 11057 Oahu BISH 1937-03-12
67 Urochloa maxima Forestry planting near Lua Makika Preserved_Specimen Char, W.P. 78.043 Kahoolawe BISH 1978-11-23
68 Urochloa maxima Hilo Preserved_Specimen Kelsey, H.E. 2 Hawaii BISH 1903-04-16
69 Urochloa maxima Lawai Valley, PTBG, Pump Six area Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 571 Kauai BISH 1983-09-01
70 Urochloa maxima Koko Head Rd Preserved_Specimen Meebold, A. 10595 Oahu BISH 1935-10-01
71 Urochloa maxima Pensacola Preserved_Specimen Lyman, R.A. 3831 Oahu BISH 1939-10-12
72 Urochloa maxima Kaena Point Preserved_Specimen Bennett, T. 189 Oahu BISH
73 Urochloa maxima All around the outer edges of Kawa Bay freshwater pond and along the stream leading into the pond area Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 103 Hawaii BISH 1990-04-23
74 Urochloa maxima Kaumalapau Hwy, side road off highway, W Lanai Preserved_Specimen Spence, G. 301 Lanai BISH 1973-10-18
75 Urochloa maxima Koolau Poko District, Mokapu Peninsula. Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe. Collected at the junction of Palikilo and Sumner Rds Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 9757 Oahu BISH 1996-03-03
76 Urochloa maxima Pensacola Preserved_Specimen Lyman, R.A. 83 Oahu BISH 1939-08-11
77 Urochloa maxima Kauai Preserved_Specimen Lee, H.A. 249 Kauai BISH 1925-11-01
78 Urochloa maxima Diamond Head, Aina Haina Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 55 Oahu BISH 1950-04-22
79 Urochloa maxima Honolulu, Liliha St Preserved_Specimen Lange, A. Oahu BISH 1954-01-19
80 Urochloa maxima Makapuu Preserved_Specimen Staples, G.W. Oahu BISH 2000-12-01
81 Urochloa maxima Moanalua Valley Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. Oahu BISH 1903-11-13
82 Urochloa maxima Leeward side of Kalepa Ridge, northern portion Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-07-21
83 Urochloa maxima Diamond Head crater Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1984-05-05
84 Urochloa maxima Kapaa Preserved_Specimen Plucknett, D.L. Hawaii BISH 1966-12-01
85 Urochloa maxima NONE Preserved_Specimen Westgate, J.M. 12 BISH 1920-12-03
86 Urochloa maxima Among tires in a gully just N of LZ-1 Preserved_Specimen Warren, S. 33 Kahoolawe BISH 1987-04-11
87 Urochloa maxima Pensacola Station grounds. Hawaii Agriculture Experiment Station, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Lyman, R.A. Oahu BISH 1938-09-01
88 Urochloa maxima Grounds of Haw. Agr. Exp. Sta., Prospect and Nehoa sts., Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Weber, P.W. Oahu BISH 1947-12-27
89 Urochloa maxima Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. Oahu BISH 1923-09-01
90 Urochloa maxima Kapaa Preserved_Specimen Plucknett, D.L. Hawaii BISH 1966-12-01
91 Urochloa maxima Kapiolani Park Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Oahu BISH 1993-04-25
92 Urochloa maxima Honolulu, via Makiki; from Oahu Sugar Co Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. Oahu BISH 1945-11-29
93 Urochloa maxima Pensacola Station grounds. Hawaii Agriculture Experiment Station, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Lyman, R.A. Oahu BISH 1938-09-01
94 Urochloa maxima Moomomi Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Molokai BISH 1982-05-17
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