Phil Bendle Collection:Cenchrus setaceus (Fountain Grass)

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Tribe: Paniceae
Genus: Cenchrus
Species: C. setaceus
Binominal name:  Cenchrus setaceus
Synonyms: Pennisetum setaceum, Pennisetum ruppellii
Common names: Fountain Grass, African fountain grass

Cenchrus setaceus is a long-lived, perennial, clump-forming, grass in the family of Poaceae. It is native to scrub habitats in East Africa, and tropical Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia. It has been introduced around the world as an ornamental plant. It is an invasive species and completes many native species and it increases the intensity and spread of fires. In New Zealand, it invades sandy areas, estuaries, coastal environs, river systems, dry and disturbed forest areas. It has been planted along roadsides.

Cenchrus setaceus is an erect, densely-tufted perennial which grows up to 1 metre tall. It has deep fibrous roots and short rhizomes that sprout to form new plants.
It has green leaves that are very thin, tough and harsh; they can be up to 30 centimetres long.
Feathery, white/pinkish flowers occur during spring and summer.

Cenchrus setaceus produces large numbers of wind-dispersed seeds, whose spread is almost impossible to prevent. It also has deep fibrous roots and short rhizomes that creep outwards and sprout to form new plants. It seeds are spread by wind and by attaching to animals and clothing. Rhizome fragments are spread by soil movement and machinery.

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Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

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