Tolerance of Cynodon dactylon and Pampa biome-native grasses to high copper content

•Tolerance to Cu for Pampa biome-native grass was compared to that of invasive grass C. dactylon.•The ability of C. dactylon to accumulate Cu in roots and stolons increases its tolerance to phytotoxicity and its competitive capacity.•Axonopus affinis stands out among the native grass for maintaining its high photosynthetic activity under stressful Cu concentrations.•The native grass P. plicatulum stands out for increasing its biomass production at intermediate Cu concentrations.•Differences in Cu tolerance may partly explain the invasiveness and competitiveness of C. dactylon in contaminated vineyards.