[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 (link added 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. 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. As of 1800, common velvetgrass occurred in many parts of North America. Based on early North American floras, it occurred in Pennsylvania by 1755 and was frequent in 1814. In New England, common velvetgrass introductions probably occurred in the 17th century. The first known collection of common velvetgrass from London, Ontario, occurred in 1879. In Hawaii, it was first collected in 1909. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)