Chinese Fountaingrass

Scientific Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng.


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Pennisetum Rich. ex Pers./ Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng.

Chinese Fountaingrass
General Information
Usda SymbolPEAL
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsPEAL

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Chinese Fountaingrass is planted.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)-18
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceLow
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fire ToleranceLow
Frost Free Days, Minimum160
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum7.0
pH, Minimum5.0
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim2700
Planting Density per Acre, Minim1700
Precipitation, Maximum60
Precipitation, Minimum32
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Salinity ToleranceNone
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationErect
Active Growth PeriodSummer
BloatNone
C:N RatioMedium
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousYes
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanModerate
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormBunch
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Foliage TextureMedium


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateSlow
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed Spread RateSlow
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Seed per Pound1000000
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerYes
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodMid Summer
Propagated by CuttingsNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductYes
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Chinese Fountaingrass

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