Feb 19, 2018 - (The Plant List, 2013), as well as X. leptocaulis Benth. ..... dictionary of plant names: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms,.
Invasive Species Compendium Datasheet report for Xyris complanata (yellow-eyed grass) Top of page
Pictures Picture
Title Flower
Caption Xyris complanata (yelloweyed grass); flower. Australia. January 2005.
Copyright ©Harry Rose/'Macleay Grass Man'/via wikipedia CC BY 2.0
Flower
Xyris complanata (yelloweyed grass); flower. Australia. January 2005.
©Harry Rose/'Macleay Grass Man'/via wikipedia CC BY 2.0
General Xyris complanata (yelloweyed grass); uprooted plant, appearance showing general appearance. Australia. September 2015. Basal area Xyris complanata (yelloweyed grass); uprooted plant and leaves showing basal area and leaves. Australia. Australia. September 2015.
©Harry Rose/'Macleay Grass Man'/via wikipedia CC BY 2.0 ©Harry Rose/'Macleay Grass Man'/via wikipedia CC BY 2.0
Identity
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Preferred Scientific Name Xyris complanata R.Br.
Preferred Common Name yellow-eyed grass
Other Scientific Names Xyris anceps Vahl Xyris elongata Rudge Xyris laevis R.Br. Xyris malaccensis Steud. Xyris scabra R.Br. Xyris walkeri Wight ex Kunth
International Common Names English: feathered yellow-eye; hatpins; Hawaii yellow-eyed grass Chinese: ying ye cong cao
Local Common Names Indonesia: jangot tutu; purum bilibili Malaysia: berudang; chelagi Philippines: gumi-gumi Thailand: tan; ya krathiam; ya krathin; ya tan Vietnam: c[or] v[af]ng
Summary of Invasiveness
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Xyris complanata is a grass-like or sedge-like herb which favours moist and swampy habitats. It is a pioneering monocotyledonous plant in areas with top soil loss. It is capable of growing in a variety of soils (including infertile and acidic peat soils) which, combined with its ability to produce a large number of dormant seeds, makes it potentially invasive. Its native range covers much of South-East Asia and Australia, and it has been introduced to Hawaii where it is considered an adventitious and passive-invasive species.
Taxonomic Tree
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Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Spermatophyta Subphylum: Angiospermae Class: Monocotyledonae Order: Commelinales Family: Xyridaceae Genus: Xyris Species: Xyris complanata
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
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The monocotyledonous genus Xyris belongs to the family Xyridaceae, which comprises over 250 species distributed in the tropics and subtropics of the world, with a few species extending into temperate regions. In the past, X. complanata has been referred to as X. anceps Vahl, X. elongata Rudge, X. laevis R.Br., X. malaccensis Steud., X. scabra R.Br. and X. walkeri Wight ex Kunth. (The Plant List, 2013), as well as X. leptocaulis Benth. Domin and X. complanata var. leptocaulis (eBotany, 2015), all of which are accepted as synonyms. The name Xyris is the ancient Greek name for an iris with razor-like leaves (xyron = razor) (Quattrocchi, 2000). The specific epithet complanata refers to the flattened leaf stalk (Brown, 1810).
Description
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X. complanata is a perennial, tufted grass-like herb that grows up to 90 cm. Its leaves are linear and flat, measuring 3.5-23 cm in length and 1-3.5 mm in width, often twisted, green or blue-green. The edge of the leaf is pale and tuberculate; its sheathing base is 1-3 cm long, brown or reddish brown, not shiny. Scapes (the long internodes forming the basal part of the peduncle) are flat to subterete, 17–50 cm long, with 2–4 prominent raised ribs; ribs minutely tuberculate. The inflorescence is ovoid or cylindrical, 5-22 mm long, 3-8 mm in diameter. Bracts and flowers are arranged in a narrowly ovoid to cylindrical compact spike, 4.5-39 mm long and 2.5-8 mm in diameter. It bears 2-6 sterile bracts, often keeled. Fertile bracts are obovate; the central region brown; wings golden-brown. Bract margins are apically lacerate to erose, apex notched. Lateral outer tepals are obovate, with a greenish brown to brown central region. The keel is well developed, finely toothed; wings subequal to equal, golden-brown; margins apically lacerate, apex lacerate. Petals yellow; limb obovate to obtriangular, 5-6 mm, apical margin lacerate; claw narrow. Style 3-4 mm long, branches c. 0.4 mm long. The seed is ovoid, measuring 0.3-0.4 mm in length (adapted from Doust and Conn (1994)).
Plant Type Herbaceous Perennial Seed propagated
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Distribution
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X. complanata is native to and distributed throughout South-East Asia, including south China (Fujian and Hainan), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as northern and eastern Australia, where it is relatively common (AVH, 2015; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2015). It was recorded in India in the state of Kerala in the first half of the twentieth century (Gamble, 1928, cited by Rao and Bhat, 2013), but is now considered rare, even though the species features in traditional Indian medicine (Oudhia, 2008). X. complanata is classed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as a species of least concern due to its pantropical distribution outside India (Rao and Bhat, 2013). X. complanata was accidentally introduced into Hawaii, where it has become naturalized and is considered adventitious (Wester, 1992) and a passive-invasive species (Erickson and Puttock, 2006).
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Distribution Table
The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report. Continent/Country/Region
Distribution
Last Reported
Origin
First Invasive Reference Reported
Notes
Asia Bangladesh (/isc/datasheet/108369) Bhutan (/isc/datasheet/108383) Brunei Darussalam (/isc/datasheet/108378) Cambodia (/isc/datasheet/108472) China (/isc/datasheet/108398) Fujian (/isc/datasheet/108670)
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Hainan (/isc/datasheet/108675)
Present
Native
India (/isc/datasheet/108459)
Present
Kerala (/isc/datasheet/108737)
Present, few occurrences
Native
West Bengal (/isc/datasheet/108755)
Present only in captivity/cultivation
Introduced 1845
Indonesia (/isc/datasheet/108455)
Present
Native
Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive
Rao and Bhat, 2013 Rao and Bhat, 2013 GBIF, 2015 GBIF, 2015 GBIF, 2015
Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2015 Not Flora of invasive China Editorial Committee, 2015 Present based on regional distribution. Not Lamark, Recorded invasive 1808; as Xyris Gamble, anceps 1928; India Vahl, a Biodiversity native in Portal, the region 2015 of Malabar Voigt, 1845 Included in the list of plants cultivated at the botanical garden of Calcutta, and originating from tropical “New Holland” Not Rao and invasive Bhat, 2013
Continent/Country/Region Irian Jaya (/isc/datasheet/108713) Kalimantan (/isc/datasheet/108715) Sulawesi (/isc/datasheet/108718) Sumatra (/isc/datasheet/108719) Laos (/isc/datasheet/108481) Malaysia (/isc/datasheet/108514) Peninsular Malaysia (/isc/datasheet/108765) Nepal (/isc/datasheet/108524) Philippines (/isc/datasheet/108535) Singapore (/isc/datasheet/108557) Sri Lanka (/isc/datasheet/108485) Thailand (/isc/datasheet/108580) Vietnam (/isc/datasheet/108604)
Distribution
Last Reported
Origin
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
Present
Native
First Invasive Reported Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive Not invasive
Reference
Notes
eBotany, 2015 GBIF, 2015 eBotany, 2015 eBotany, 2015 Rao and Bhat, 2013 GBIF, 2015 eBotany, 2015 Rao and Bhat, 2013 GBIF, 2015 GBIF, 2015 GBIF, 2015 GBIF, 2015 Rao and Bhat, 2013
North America USA (/isc/datasheet/108597)
Present
Hawaii (/isc/datasheet/108806)
Present
Introduced 1973
Invasive Wester, 1992; US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2010; GBIF, 2015
Australia (/isc/datasheet/108362) Australian Northern Territory (/isc/datasheet/108619)
Present
Native
Present
Native
New South Wales (/isc/datasheet/108620)
Present
Native
Queensland (/isc/datasheet/108621)
Present
Native
Not GBIF, 2015 invasive Not Bentham invasive and Mueller, 1878 Not Bentham invasive and Mueller, 1878 Not Bentham invasive and Mueller, 1878
Oceania
Present based on regional distribution. Recorded only on island of Hawaii
Continent/Country/Region French Polynesia (/isc/datasheet/108533) Papua New Guinea (/isc/datasheet/108534)
Distribution
Last Reported
Origin
Present Present
Native
First Invasive Reference Reported Not GBIF, 2015 invasive Not GBIF, 2015 invasive
Notes
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History of Introduction and Spread
This species was accidentally introduced to the island of Hawaii from Australia (Wester, 1992). The precise year and means of its introduction are not known, but its earliest collection dates from 1962 (GBIF, 2015). It is possible, however, that X. complanata was already present in the archipelago in the 1950s (Erickson and Puttock, 2006). It was recorded on the island of Kauai in 1983 (HEAR, 2006; GBIF, 2015). Top of page
Introductions Introduced Introduced Year to from
Hawaii
Australia
Reason
1950 Hitchhiker (pathway 1970 cause) (/isc/datasheet/109037)
Risk of Introduction
Introduced by
Established in wild References Notes through Natural Continuous reproduction restocking Yes Erickson The exac and year and Puttock, mode of 2006; GBIF, introducti 2014; GBIF, are 2015; unknown Wester, Although 1992 was first collected 1962, the species is said to be traded on the island since the 1950s. Top of page
As X. complanata is used in dried flower arrangements and bouquets in Hawaii (Erickson and Puttock, 2006), it is highly likely to be intentionally grown for this purpose throughout the islands. Seeds from the dried inflorescences are also potential propagules and a means by which the species can be spread unintentionally.
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Habitat
X. complanata is recognized as a pioneer plant in wet, adverse, open land, where it is capable of producing large numbers of minute seeds for regeneration and survival (Tamura et al., 2008). It grows in marshes, moist depressions, drainage ditches, along streams and in other wet places (Cook, 1996). Moreover, it thrives in wastelands, fields, moist sandy soil in coastal areas and is known to be tolerant of highly stressed, infertile soils (Sajo and Rudall, 1999), including acidic soils (Tamura et al., 2008) and saline soils (Wilson et al., 1985). Where it is naturalized on some of the Hawaiian Islands it favours wet muddy areas but can also be found on lava flows and along roadsides (Wagner et al., 1999; GBIF, 2015). Top of page
Habitat List Category
Habitat Littoral Coastal areas Salt marshes Terrestrialmanaged Disturbed areas Disturbed areas Rail / roadsides Rail / roadsides Terrestrialnatural/seminatural Riverbanks Riverbanks Rocky areas / lava flows Wetlands Wetlands
Presence Principal habitat Secondary/tolerated habitat Principal habitat Principal habitat Secondary/tolerated habitat Secondary/tolerated habitat Principal habitat Principal habitat Secondary/tolerated habitat Principal habitat Principal habitat
Status Natural Natural Harmful (pest or invasive) Natural Harmful (pest or invasive) Natural Harmful (pest or invasive) Natural Natural Harmful (pest or invasive) Natural
Biology and Ecology
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Genetics Xyris taxa have 2n = 18, rarely 34, chromosomes (Kral, 1998). Reproductive Biology According to Vogel (1981), Xyridaceae taxa do not produce floral nectar. Bees, which pollinate these species, are attracted by pollen or imitation pollen masses. Kral (1998) states that in the Neotropics, Xyris species are pollinated by females of Exomalopsis, a genus of bees. X. complanata propagates by seed, which is produced in large quantities. Members of the Xyridaceae family disperse their seeds by dehiscence; seeds are shaken or fall from capsules, especially as old bracts and sepals spread away from the fruit or as old scapes topple. Moreover, seeds are buoyant in water and are often left in drifts on the surface or mixed with small sand particles and silt. Germination in Xyris species can take place within two weeks on moist substrate (Kral, 1998). In contrast, the seeds can remain dormant for indefinite periods under dry soil conditions. Kral (1998) kept dried Xyris seeds without refrigeration for up to ten years and still achieved good germination rates in the greenhouse. Physiology and Phenology The seedlings of Xyris species have a bifacial, lanceolate cotyledon that functions both as an assimilating and haustorial organ (Kraus et al., 1994). Kaplan (1973) states that ensiform leaves represent an adaptation to stressed conditions (such as the nutrient-poor environments in which these species grow). The first true leaves have a cylindrical unifacial blade with an opening at the base (Sajo and Rudall, 1999). Phonsena et al. (2013) note that in Thailand X. complanata flowers all year round, but especially from October to December. In the monsoonal zones of Australia, it flowers between May and July, with flowers usually opening from mid-morning (10.00 h) and persisting until late afternoon (16.00 h) (Doust and Conn, 1994). Moreover, old flowers may persist for another day after anthesis. Longevity Xyris species are short-lived (Kral, 1998). Population Size and Structure According to Kral (1998), wherever there are clearings Xyris species can form a veritable turf on open seepage. Nutrition Xyris complanata is a heliophile and tolerant of severe nutrient deficiency (Tamura et al., 2008). Associations When Tamura et al. (2008) studied seed germination in X. complanata, Fusarium and Penicillium strains were isolated without which seeds failed to germinate, indicating that the soil fungi function as genuine partners for X. complanata in tropical, open peat lands. They further suggest that, like orchids with very small seeds, this species may be mycoheterotrophic and depend on fungi not just for germination but for full vigorous growth after germination. Environmental Requirements X. complanata occurs from sea level to 1600 m altitude (Phonsena et al., 2013). It prefers soil that is usually damp to waterlogged, sandy, loamy or rarely clayey, grey to yellow or red, often humus-rich, sometimes very coarse and sometimes with ironstone gravel. These soils usually overlie sandstone or siltstone parent rock (Doust and Conn, 1994).
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Climate Climate Af Tropical rainforest climate Am Tropical monsoon climate As Tropical savanna climate with dry summer Aw Tropical wet and dry savanna climate Cw Warm temperate climate with dry winter
Status Description Preferred > 60mm precipitation per month
Remark
Preferred Tropical monsoon climate ( (100 [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) Preferred
