[Cal-IPC] Invasive: Holcus lanatus (common velvet grass) is a tufted perennial grass (family Poaceae) that tolerates high levels of heavy metals in the soil and sulfur dioxide in the air. It establishes best in moist conditions and is a facultative wetland indicator. Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)

[www.fs.usda.gov] Europe, western Asia, northwestern Africa, Canary Islands native: Common velvetgrass is native to Europe, western Asia, northwestern Africa, and the Canary Islands and is very common throughout temperate Europe [14,15]. A review reports that it was likely introduced several times to both the east and west coasts of North America as a contaminant or an intentional component of imported forage seed [113,134]. As of 1800, common velvetgrass occurred in many parts of North America [9]. Based on early North American floras, it occurred in Pennsylvania by 1755 and was frequent in 1814 [163]. In New England, common velvetgrass introductions probably occurred in the 17th century [92]. The first known collection of common velvetgrass from London, Ontario, occurred in 1879 [134]. In Hawaii, it was first collected in 1909 [153]. (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)