Pennisetum setaceum - (Forssk.) Chiov

(Forssk.) Chiov

Fountain grass

Amaranthaceae Edible: Seed

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Description

Pennisetum setaceum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Edible Uses

Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple Crop: balanced carb (The term staple crop typically refers to a food that is eaten routinely and accounts for a dominant part of people's diets in a particular region of the world). A minor or regional crop in production with low or unreported yields. A number of Pennisetum species have edible seeds - no detailed information could be found for this species.

Distribution

Native range of this species is tropical Africa, it is found in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Afghanistan and Sicily. It has also naturalized in North America, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Australasia, Namibia, South Africa, Micronesia, Fiji and New Caledonia.

Where It Grows

TEMPERATE ASIA: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt (Sinai), Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria EUROPE: Italy (Sicilia) AFRICA: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Cultivation

It grows in most soils, even poorly drained soils preferring exposed, dry habitats, particularly rocky areas but can also grow in sandy soils such as coastal grasslands. It is drought-tolerant and fast growing. Becomes facultativlely inactive with extended drought, freezing, or near-freezing temperatures. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation).

Propagation

Plants can be grown from cuttings. It can also be grown by seeds or division of the clump. This is a very easy grass to propagate.

Other Uses

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Fountain grass is well adapted to fire and fires may contribute to fountain grass spread. Fountain grass is of little grazing value due to its coarse rough leaves. A popular ornamental.

Synonyms

Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.) Morrone. Pennisetum cupreum Hitchc.. Pennisetum erythraeum Chiov. Pennisetum macrostachyum Fresen.. Pennisetum macrostachyon Fresen.. Pennisetum numidicum Paris. Pennisetum orientale var. altissimum Chiov. Pennisetum orientale subsp. parisii Trab. Pennisetum orientale var. parisii (Trab.) Leeke. Pennisetum parisii (Trab.) Trab. Pennisetum phalaroides Schult.. Pennisetum ruppellii Steud. Pennisetum ruppellii var. depauperatum Schweinf. Pennisetum scoparium Chiov. Pennisetum setaceum var. parisii (Trab.) Maire. Pennisetum spectabile Fig. & De Not. Pennisetum tiberiadis Boiss. Phalaris setacea Forssk.