Fountain grass

Fountain grass is an invasive tufted perennial grass that grows up to 1.5 m tall. It forms dense stands that exclude other pasture plants and native vegetation.

Description

• Long narrow leaf blade that grows to 60cm long.

   

• Flowers resemble pink to purple bottle brushes present from late spring – mid winter.

• Seed heads have spikelets up to 6.5 mm long and these are surrounded at the base by white to purplish bristles.

• 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.

• Also spreads via rhizome fragments from human activity (eg. soil movement, dumped garden waste, cultivation and on machinery)

• Habitats include exposed, dry habitats, particularly rocky areas but can also grow in sandy soils such as coastal grasslands.

What you need to know

Fountain grass can form dense stands that out-competes and suppresses native vegetation and greatly increases fire risk.

Management approach

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 fountain grass yourself. Report any sightings to us.