Pennisetum alopecuroides

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Cladus: Commelinids
Ordo: Poales

Familia: Poaceae
Subfamilia: Panicoideae
Tribus: Paniceae
Genus: Pennisetum
Species: Pennisetum alopecuroides
Name

Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng.
References

Syst. veg. 1:303. 1824
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Pennisetum alopecuroides in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.

Vernacular names
English: Chinese fountaingrass, dwarf fountain grass, foxtail fountain grass, swamp foxtail grass
日本語: チカラシバ (力芝)
Nederlands: Lampenpoetsergras
中文: 狼尾草

Pennisetum alopecuroides (Pen-ih-SEE-tum al-oh-pek-yur-OY-deez),[1] the Chinese pennisetum, Chinese fountaingrass, dwarf fountain grass, foxtail fountain grass, or swamp foxtail grass, is a species of perennial grass native to Asia and Australia. The culms are erect, and 60–100 cm long. The leaf-blades are erect or drooping; flat, or conduplicate (folded lengthwise) or involute (spiral); and from 10–45 cm long by 3–6 mm wide.

The Latin specific epithet alopecuroides means "like the genus Alopecurus (foxtail)".[2]

Description

The plant is a warm season ornamental grass which typically grows in graceful, spreading clumps from 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) tall and wide. It features narrow, medium to deep green leaves (to 1/2" wide) in summer, changing to golden yellow in fall, and fading to beige in late fall. The foliage usually remains attractive throughout the winter. Showy, silvery to pinkish-white, bristly, bottle brush-like flower spikes arch outward from the clump in late summer like water spraying from a fountain (hence the common name "fountain grass"). The flower spikes turn brownish as the seeds form, and usually persist until late fall or early winter before shattering. Many cultivars are available in horticulture, ranging in height from 1–5 ft (0.30–1.52 m) and featuring a variety of different flower colors (purples, pinks or whites) and autumn foliage.[3]
Growing conditions

The plant generally needs a sheltered position in full sun to light shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil. It will grow in any mild or coastal area where the temperature does not fall below −5 °C (23 °F).[4] The best time of the year for planting is between late Summer and Winter.[5]
Cultivars

The following cultivars have received gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:

'Cassian's Choice'[6] (brown flowerheads flushed pink)
'Hameln' [7] (purplish flower heads)
'Red Head' [8] (dark red flower heads)

Synonyms

Alopecurus hordeiformis L.
Panicum alopecuroides L. (basionym)
Pennisetum compressum R. Br.
Pennisetum hordeiforme (Thunb.) Spreng.
Pennisetum japonicum Trin. ex Spreng.

References

"Pennisetum alopecuroides - Fountain Grass". Bluestem. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
"Pennisetum alopecuroides". Missouri Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
"Pennisetum alopecuroides". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
"Pennisetum alopecuroides - Fountain Grass". Bluestem. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
"Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian's Choice'". RHS. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
"Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'". RHS. Retrieved 18 January 2021.

"Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Head'". RHS. Retrieved 18 January 2021.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pennisetum alopecuroides.

GrassBase entry