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Pennisetum setaceum

Accession Count: 13
Common Name: fountain grass, purple fountain grass
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Family Name: Poaceae
Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Cenchrus setaceus, Phalaris setacea
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
This perennial, ornamental grass has long, thin, rough, edged leaves that can grow to a foot in length. The stems can be three feet in height and are topped with a feathery bristle (2). Pennisetum setaceum has tiny pink or purple flowers that bloom sporadically throughout the year (1). The inflorescence can be red (when young) or cream colored with up to 50 wind dispersing seeds per spikelet (1). These highly invasive species grow in clumps where the stems shoot straight up and the heads droop giving the grass clusters a fountain shape. 
Compound: Pen set
Geographic Origin: North & East Africa
Ecozone Origin: Afrotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Pennisetum setaceum is native to Africa, reported in the north and eastern areas. After establishment in Africa, fountain grass has been distributed worldwide as an ornamental grass. Unfortunately, its ability to naturalize readily have made this ornamental highly invasive. P. setaceum can grow a broad range of environments including  bare lava flows, canyons, waste areas, open woodlands, grasslands, waterways, coastal areas, pastures, rocky habitats in tropics, subtropics and roadsides (3).  This species is now reported to be taking over many natural habitats in Australasia, Europe, North America, and Pacific regions (4). 
Cultivation Notes: When cultivating fountain grass, it is important to utilize known cultivars known for performance and color. Fountain grass has a moderate growth rate, requires little water, and is suitable for a sunny locations. It is also a hardy grass that takes damage at temperatures below 15℉.
Ethnobotany:
Purple fountain grass has landscape value in that it has attractive colored leaves, and is great for use as a border plant or in a rock garden. Purple fountain grass is also a poisonous plant that should not be ingested. Fountain Grass is used throughout the world by humans as an ornamental grass (3). 
Height: 0 - 5 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Grow Season: Spring
Flower Season: Summer
Color: Red
Function: Accent
Spread: Spreading
Allergen: Allergenic
Invasive: Invasive
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
  1. keyserver.lucidcentral.org
  2. issg.org
  3. iucngisd.org
  4. npgsweb.ars-grin.gov
  5. Brenzel, Kathleen Norris. Sunset Western Garden Book. Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine, 2001.
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Pennisetum setaceum