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Fountain Grass
Botanical name: Pennisetum setaceum
Noxious Weed Category: Class 5 (Council should be notified of any outbreaks or places where Pennisetum setaceum is being sold in Pittwater).
Description
Fountain grass is a native of Africa and Asia. It is a tufted perennial grass up to 1.5 m high. Leaves are long and narrow with a leaf blade up to 3.5 mm wide and 60 cm long, with small forward directed teeth on leaf margins and the upper surface.
Flower heads resemble pink to purple bottle brushes 6 to 30 cm long. Flowers are present from late spring to mid winter. The cylindrical seed head has spikelets up to 6.5 mm long and these are surrounded at the base by white to purplish bristles mostly 15-26 mm long with one to 40 mm long. The inner bristles are feather-like.
Fountain grass prefers exposed, dry habitats, particularly rocky areas but can also grow in sandy soils such as coastal grasslands.
Dispersal
Spread mainly by wind but is also spread by vehicles, humans, animals, water and possibly birds. Seed can remain viable in the soil for at least seven years.
Impact on bushland
Once escaped, this grass can form dense stands that exclude all other plants.
Control
Fountain grass is difficult to eliminate. Control may need to be repeated several times a year.
Manual: Plants are easily dug out. See Manual Weed Control Techniques. Place seed heads in a bag for disposal at Council's waste disposal facility.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.
Similar species
Plants previously referred to as Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' are now considered to be another species Pennisetum advena. This species is not considered to be as weedy as fountain grass. It is able to be sold if labeled correctly as Pennisetum advena.