Fountain grass (Cenchrus setaceus )
Fountain grass is an invasive clumping grass that grows up to 1.5 m tall. It forms dense stands that exclude other pasture plants and native vegetation.
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
Fountain grass or African fountain grass is a highly invasive tufted grass. Plants are used as ornamentals in gardens and along roadsides, and are often found in motel gardens. Once escaped, this grass can form dense stands that exclude all other plants. It has been used for soil stabilisation and is a weed of pastures and alongside railway lines and roads. Fountain grass is of little grazing value due to its coarse rough leaves.
Fountain grass is a native of northern and eastern Africa and south western Asia. It is now a serious weed in the United States and South Africa where it has invaded hot dry sites. Fountain grass out-competes and suppresses native vegetation and greatly increases fire risk.
In NSW it has a limited distribution to date. It has also naturalised in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Where is it found?
Fountain grass can grow in tropical to semi arid areas and can live for up to 20 years. It prefers exposed, dry habitats, particularly rocky areas but can also grow in sandy soils such as coastal grasslands.
How does it spread?
Fountain grass seed is mainly wind-dispersed but is also spread by vehicles, humans, livestock, water and possibly birds. Seed can remain viable in the soil for at least seven years.
Fountain grass is well adapted to fire and fires may contribute to fountain grass spread.
Fountain grass can increase the intensity of fires resulting in damage to species and plant communities that are not as fire tolerant.
What does it look like?
Fountain grass is a tufted perennial grass to 1.5 m high.
Long narrow leaf blade to 3.5 mm wide and 60 cm long, with small forward directed teeth on leaf margins and the upper surface.
The flower heads resemble pink to purple bottle brushes 6 to 30 cm long. Flowers are present from late spring to mid winter.
The cylindrical seed head has spikelets up to 6.5 mm long and these are surrounded at the base by white to purplish bristles mostly 15–26 mm long with one to 40 mm long. The inner bristles are feather-like.
Plants previously referred to as Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ are now considered to be another species Pennisetum advena. This species is not considered to be as weedy as fountain grass. It is able to be sold if labelled correctly as Pennisetum advena.
Acknowledgements
Author: John Hosking
References
- Hosking, J. R., Sainty, G. R., Jacobs, S. W. L. and Dellow, J. J. (in prep) The Australian WEEDbook.
- Lovich, J. (no date) Pennisetum setaceum. California Invasive Plant Council Database http://www.cal-ipc.org/ accessed. 14.07.06
More information
Control
Fountain grass is difficult to eliminate. Control may need to be repeated several times a year. The long-lived seeds make continued monitoring after treatment is essential. Control should initially be directed to outlying populations followed by treatment of the core area.
Small infestations of fountain grass can be removed by uprooting and removing and destroying seed heads.
Extensive infestations of fountain grass are probably best controlled with herbicides, combined with mechanical techniques.
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Flupropanate 745 g/L
(Tussock®)
Rate: 3 L per ha
Comments: Selective broadacre control
Withholding period: Spot spray: Do NOT graze or cut for stock feed for at least 14 days. Blanket spray: Do NOT graze, or cut for stock feed for at least 4 months. If stock are grazed in treated areas after required time has passed, remove stock from treated areas and do NOT slaughter or milk for human consumption until they have been on clean feed for at least 14 days.
Herbicide group: 15 (previously group J), Inhibition of very long chain fatty acid synthesis (VLCFA inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Flupropanate 745 g/L
(Tussock®)
Rate: 300 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Spot spray: Do NOT graze or cut for stock feed for at least 14 days. Blanket spray: Do NOT graze, or cut for stock feed for at least 4 months. If stock are grazed in treated areas after required time has passed, remove stock from treated areas and do NOT slaughter or milk for human consumption until they have been on clean feed for at least 14 days.
Herbicide group: 15 (previously group J), Inhibition of very long chain fatty acid synthesis (VLCFA inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Flupropanate 745 g/L
(Tussock®)
Rate: 500 mL in 10 L of water
Comments: Wiper application
Withholding period: Spot spray: Do NOT graze or cut for stock feed for at least 14 days. Blanket spray: Do NOT graze, or cut for stock feed for at least 4 months. If stock are grazed in treated areas after required time has passed, remove stock from treated areas and do NOT slaughter or milk for human consumption until they have been on clean feed for at least 14 days.
Herbicide group: 15 (previously group J), Inhibition of very long chain fatty acid synthesis (VLCFA inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 6 L per ha
Comments: Non-selective broadacre control
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1 L in 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9792 Expires 30/11/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 3.3 L in 10 L of water
Comments: Wiper application
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Biosecurity duty
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
| Area | Duty |
|---|---|
| All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2023
