Status:
valid
Authors:
(L.) R.Br.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1810
Citation Micro:
Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. : 195 (1810)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000888897
Common Names
- Glaucous Fountain Grass
- Fountain Oat Grass
- Foxtail Fountain Grass
Description
Pennisetum glaucum (also called Blue foxtail grass, among many other common names) is an annual grass that grows to a height of 1-2 feet. It has long, narrow leaves and its flower heads are cylindrical and purplish in color. It is native to Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, and is typically found in dry, sandy areas.
Uses & Benefits
Pennisetum glaucum is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as an ingredient in traditional medicines. It is also used to make rope and paper.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Pennisetum glaucum has a flower that is a long, feathery panicle, with the seed being a small, dark brown grain and the seedling being a small, dark green grass.
Cultivation and Propagation
Pennisetum glaucum is a warm-season grass that is best grown in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate some shade. Propagation is by seed or division of the clumps.
Where to Find Pennisetum glaucum
Pennisetum glaucum can be found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Species in the Poaceae family
Achnatherum pekinense,
Achnatherum pubicalyx,
Achnatherum sibiricum,
Achnatherum turcomanicum,
Achnatherum brandisii,
Achnatherum bromoides,
Achnatherum calamagrostis,
Achnatherum confusum,
Achnatherum inebrians,
Achnatherum jacquemontii,
Achnatherum virescens,
Achnatherum paradoxum,
Achnatherum nakaii,
Achnatherum pelliotii,
Achnatherum haussknechtii,
Achnatherum mandavillei,
Achnatherum pilosum,
Achnatherum parviflorum,
Achnatherum staintonii,
Aciachne acicularis,
Aciachne flagellifera,
Aciachne pulvinata,
Acidosasa breviclavata,
Acidosasa brilletii,
Acidosasa chinensis,
Acidosasa edulis,
Acidosasa glauca,
Acidosasa guangxiensis,
Acidosasa lingchuanensis,
Acidosasa nanunica,
Acidosasa notata,
Acidosasa purpurea,
Acidosasa venusta,
Acidosasa carinata,
Acostia gracilis,
Acrachne henrardiana,
Acrachne perrieri,
Acrachne racemosa,
Acritochaete volkensii,
Acroceras amplectens,
Acroceras attenuatum,
Acroceras boivinii,
Acroceras bosseri,
Acroceras calcicola,
Acroceras chaseae,
Acroceras diffusum,
Acroceras elegans,
Acroceras excavatum,
Acroceras fluminense,
Acroceras gabunense,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:415048-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].