Fountain Grass

Cenchrus setaceus

IntroducedInvasive · FISC Category II

Invasive — FISC Category II. The Florida Invasive Species Council lists this plant as increasing in abundance or frequency, though not yet altering Florida plant communities to the extent of Category I species. Please don't plant it; if it's on your land, consider removing it. About the FISC list

Fountain Grass (Cenchrus setaceus) — Photo: (c) Harry Rose, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · source

At a glance

Family: Poaceae
Genus: Cenchrus
Status: Introduced to Florida
Sightings: 93 verified in Florida
Also called: Crimson Fountain Grass, Purple Fountain Grass
Formerly: Pennisetum setaceum, Phalaris setacea, Pennisetum macrostachyum, Pennisetum cupreum, Pennisetum ruppelii, Pennisetum setaceus, Pennisetum ruppellii

About

Cenchrus setaceus, commonly known as crimson fountaingrass, is a C4 perennial bunch grass that is native to open, scrubby habitats in East Africa, tropical Africa, the Middle East and south-western Asia. It has been introduced to many parts of the world as an ornamental plant, and has become an invasive species in some of them. It is drought-tolerant, grows fast, reaches 3 feet in height, and has many purple, plumose flower spikes.

Text adapted from the Wikipedia article “Cenchrus setaceus”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.