Chinese fountain grass is a perennial, clump-forming grass with deep fibrous roots.
Description
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Leaves are grey-green, narrow and wiry, <30cm long.
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Flowering stems are purplish and the spike-like seed-heads up to 12 cm long.
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Seed-heads contain large numbers of densely packed flower spikelet clusters
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Each flower spikelet cluster is surrounded by numerous feathery bristles (15-25 mm long).
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Seeds are spread via water and by wind for short distances, and also in clothing, animals, pelts.
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Habitats include bare sand, grassland, roadside, estuaries, coastline, river systems, and dry and disturbed forest.
What you need to know
Chinese fountain grass outcompetes native species in vulnerable habitats and invades established plant communities. It has the potential to cause build-up of sand and changes in habitat, leading to erosion or flooding elsewhere, and loss of wetlands. It is also a fire hazard and can harbour rats and mice.
Management approach
Chinese fountain grass is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.
Rules
Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.
Control
Do not attempt to undertake control of Chinese fountain grass yourself. Report any sightings to us.
Chinese fountain grass. Photo credit: Angon Drakitra
Chinese fountain grass. Photo credit: Angon Drakitra
Chinese fountain grass.
