Medusahead [Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski] is one of the most detrimental invasive annual grasses impacting the sustainability and function of rangeland in the western United States. This annual grass possesses high concentrations of tissue silicon (Si) that may facilitate invasion through key plant characteristics such as increased plant fitness, structure, and antinutritive qualities. These characteristics may affect known invasive processes such as increased plant productivity, slow litter decomposition, and decreased herbivory, facilitating a positive feedback cycle of invasion. However, Si is not considered an essential element and is often overlooked as a factor of T. caput-medusae invasion. Thus, this article provides a synthesis of plant Si, T. caput-medusae, and the self-reinforcing feedback cycle of invasion. We also discuss how current control strategies address plant characteristics determined by Si and suggest research avenues that may aid in novel or improved control strategies that target the T. caput-medusae–silica relationship.

中文翻译：

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植物硅作为美杜莎（Taeniatherum caput-medusae）入侵的一个因素

美杜莎[水母带绦虫(L.) Nevski] 是影响美国西部牧场可持续性和功能的最有害的侵入性一年生草本之一。这种一年生草具有高浓度的组织硅 (Si)，可以通过关键植物特征（例如增加的植物适应性、结构和抗营养品质）促进入侵。这些特征可能会影响已知的入侵过程，例如植物生产力增加、枯枝落叶分解缓慢和食草动物减少，从而促进入侵的正反馈循环。然而，Si 不被认为是基本元素，并且经常被忽视为T. caput-medusae入侵。因此，本文提供了植物 Si 的合成，T. caput-medusae，以及入侵的自我强化反馈循环。我们还讨论了当前的控制策略如何解决由 Si 确定的植物特性，并提出了可能有助于新的或改进的控制策略的研究途径，以针对T. caput-medusae-二氧化硅关系。