Status:
valid
Authors:
(Nees) Steud.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1841
Citation Micro:
Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 2: 298 (1841)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000889264
Common Names
- Elegant Needlegrass
- Elegant Pentameris
- Elegant Veldtgrass
Description
Pentameris elegans (also called Elegant feather grass, among many other common names) is a clump-forming grass native to tropical and subtropical Africa. It has arching, linear leaves and produces feathery, pinkish-red flower spikes in late summer. It grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, and is often used as an ornamental grass in gardens.
Uses & Benefits
Pentameris elegans is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes. It is also used as a fodder crop for livestock.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Pentameris elegans is small and white, with five petals and a yellow center. The seed is small and black, and the seedlings are thin and delicate.
Cultivation and Propagation
Pentameris elegans is a perennial grass native to South Africa. It is a low-growing species that forms dense tufts of foliage. It is best grown in full sun to partial shade in a well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed or division of clumps.
Where to Find Pentameris elegans
Pentameris elegans can be found in the grasslands of South Africa.
Species in the Pentameris genus
Pentameris airoides,
Pentameris barbata,
Pentameris cirrhulosa,
Pentameris curvifolia,
Pentameris densiflora,
Pentameris dregeana,
Pentameris elegans,
Pentameris eriostoma,
Pentameris glacialis,
Pentameris glandulosa,
Pentameris hirtiglumis,
Pentameris lima,
Pentameris longiglumis,
Pentameris macrocalycina,
Pentameris oreophila,
Pentameris patula,
Pentameris rupestris,
Pentameris scabra,
Pentameris swartbergensis,
Pentameris thuarii,
Pentameris uniflora,
Pentameris viscidula,
Pentameris argentea,
Pentameris aurea,
Pentameris aspera,
Pentameris clavata,
Pentameris aristidoides,
Pentameris andringitrensis,
Pentameris colorata,
Pentameris acinosa,
Pentameris tysonii,
Pentameris praecox,
Pentameris triseta,
Pentameris reflexa,
Pentameris pyrophila,
Pentameris pusilla,
Pentameris chrysurus,
Pentameris pseudopallescens,
Pentameris rosea,
Pentameris pictigluma,
Pentameris pholiuroides,
Pentameris pungens,
Pentameris trisetoides,
Pentameris velutina,
Pentameris veneta,
Pentameris trifida,
Pentameris tomentella,
Pentameris setifolia,
Pentameris scandens,
Pentameris rigidissima,
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:415321-1: 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].