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Australian Native Plants

Fountain Grass - a weed?

21 years ago

I've been given a number of plants - that large grass with long pink feathery seed-heads/flowers. the giver advised me she'd seen it labelled a noxious weed. I've seen it in lots of public plantings. Can anyone advise its' status? I'm not even sure of the correct name so I can look it up elsewhere.

Much appreciated

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Comments (5)

kearnage
21 years ago
Most definitely a weed!
The common name is used for a number of species of Pennisetum grasses, including Pennisetum setaceum, Pennisetum macrourum and Pennisetum alopecuroides. The latter was once thought to occur naturally in Australia but has more recently been established as a very efficent weed. They are listed as noxious in many areas. If you do a google search on 'fountain grass' limited to Australia, nearly all hits will be regarding it's weed status - with the notable exception of 'Backyard Blitz' promoting it as a 'hardy' grass. Thanks Don.
The link below refers to the problems in south australia.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fountain grass weed
trancegemini_wa
21 years ago
there are a couple of grasses called fountain grass, one being Pennisetum setaceum and another common one is pennisetum alopecuroides (aka fountain grass, foxtail grass)

if you go to the link below, the only pennisetum I can see listed is Pennisetum macrourum or african feather grass, so you really need to identify exactly which plant it is first. It's worth remembering though that a noxious weed in one state isnt necessarily a noxious weed in all states, and the same plant behaves differently under different climates and conditions. If you have any doubts it's a good idea to contact your agriculture department for more advice and try to get the plant identified to find out its status in VIC before you plant it.

Here is a link that might be useful: noxious weeds in victoria
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I grew the so-called native Pennisetum when I had an Australian garden and it popped up everywhere so I got rid of it. The ABG page seems to recommend it on the webpage for landscaping with the proviso that you remove the seedheads - something that may not happen in either the private garden or amenity plantings. Nice plant but too much of a risk. You know, generally speaking, the worst 'weed purveyors' are weekend marketeers. Most weedy things are easy to propagate unfortunately and customers recognise them too readily and buy them. I'm talking of ivy, arum lily, agapanthus, pittosporum, watsonia .......... I think you know the rest.
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gregaryb
21 years ago
And the sad thing about it is that we have such a rich diversity of indigenous grasses there is simply no need to look to exotic species.
lou_aust
Original Author
21 years ago
Thanks for all that. I tossed the plants I was given and encouraged the giver to pull hers out too. My husband refused to even put them into the compost or the recycling bin which seemed to be taking things a little far!
wattleblossom
21 years ago
Dear Lou, please tell your friend to be careful when removing pennisetum as the seeds can stick to clothing. The seed heads need to be covered before disturbing the plant.

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