Pennisetum setaceum (crimson fountaingrass)

Pennisetum setaceum

Photo by Carolyn Martus

Pennisetum setaceum (crimson fountaingrass) is a coarse tufted perennial grass (family Poaceae). It primarily grows along the southern California coast. Crimson fountaingrass is well adapted to fire, and plants can recover to pre-burn density, even increase in density, following a burn. It is cultivated as an ornamental, but the red cultivar is sterile and not considered invasive.

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: Moderate

Cal-IPC Resources on Pennisetum setaceum

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Assessment Form (pdf) - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• Species account from Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands - Includes biology and management information.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. Each issue is available as a pdf. List of articles on Pennisetum setaceum.
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Pennisetum clandestinum.
• California distribution map - Maps based on survey data from county Weed Management Areas. These maps are the product of those working in the field and are not intended to be definitive.
• Don't Plant a Pest! - Select your region to find non-invasive alternatives to ornamental species.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• (1993). California Exotic Pest Plant Council draft list exotic plants of greatest concern October 1993. CalEPPC News. 1: 6.
• (1994). Exotic pest plants of greatest ecological concern in California September 1994. CalEPPC News. 2: 10.
• (1999). Richmond weed abatement ordinance. CalEPPC News. 7: 10.
• (2006). Recommended action on invasive ornamentals. Cal-IPC News. 14: 10.
• Connick, S. and M. Gerel (2005). Don't sell a pest: A new partnership to prevent plant invasions through horticulture. Cal-IPC News. 13: 4-5,14.
• Madison, J. (1996). Highways as corridors of dispersal. CalEPPC News. 4: 9.

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Brooks, M. L. and T. C. Esque (1999). Alien grasses in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Synposium '99. Sacramento, CA.
• Clines, J., J. DiTomaso, et al. (2004). Grasses working group. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.
• Connick, S. and M. Gerel (2004). Partnering to prevent invasions of plants of horticultural origin. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.
• Devender, T. R. V., R. S. Frlger, et al. (1997). Exotic plants in the Sonoran desert region, Arizona and Sonora. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium '97. Concord, CA.
• Northam, F. E. (2001). Invasive plant species management in Arizona. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium 2001. San Diego, CA.
• Thomsen, C. D., W. A. Williams, et al. (1996). Yellow starthistle management with grazing, mowing, and competitive plantings. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium '96. San Diego, CA.

Other Resources on Pennisetum setaceum

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.
• The Nature Conservancy Management Summary - Information compiled by TNC land managers. Photos included for some species.
• Encycloweedia - Plants rated as noxious weeds by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.

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