crimson fountaingrass
(Cenchrus setaceus)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Cenchrus setaceus is a perennial bunchgrass up to 4.9' (1.5 m) in height.
Foliage
Blades are narrow (2.4" (60 cm) long, 0.08-0.16" (0.2-0.4 cm) wide and may appear flat or rolled inward. Leaf ligule has dense white hairs. Inflorescence: Pale pink-purple cylindrical spike, from 3.1"-13.7" (8-35 cm) long. Spikelets are shed from the inflorescence intact along with the bristle.
Fruit
Seeds are small with showy bristles.
Could be confused with:
Coral bristlegrass (Setaria macrosperma), native, has wider blades, a less dense seed head, large seeds and spikelets that fall free of the bristles.
Citation
Angelo, C., Cooley, H., Giardina, D., et al. 2019. Everglades CISMA: Early Detection, Rapid Response Plant Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) CISMA and Friends of Everglades CISMA. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/ECISMA/assets/File/ECISMA_plantEDRR_.pdf
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
Resources
- Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
- Weed Field Guide - USDA Forest Service
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Arizona Noxious Weeds
- California Invasive Plant Council
- Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category II
- Hawaii Noxious Weeds
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- Nevada EDRR
- Nevada Noxious Weeds
- New Invaders of the Southwest
- New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
- New Mexico Noxious Weeds
- Non-Native Invasive Plants of Arlington County, Virginia
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Poales |
| Family: Poaceae |
| Genus: Cenchrus |
| Cenchrus setaceus |
Other System Links
Plants: PESE3
Bayer: PESSA
GRIN: 27214
ITIS: 42013
NPDN Pest: PCACGBC
NPDN Host: 36001
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
fountain grass, fountaingrass
Related Scientific Names:
Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.) Morrone (Misspelling)
Pennisetum ruppelii (Forsk.) Chiov. (Synonym)
Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. (Synonym)
Phalaris setacea (Forsk.) Chiov. (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.