Stem

  • Up to 5 ft. tall; round in cross-section; grows in bunches 
Photo of crimson fountaingrass stem
Crimson fountaingrass stem

Leaves

  • Blades are flat to v-shaped, 0.5-2 ft. long and less than 0.16 in. wide; edges (margins) have long hairs, particularly near the collar 
Photo of crimson fountaingrass plant
Crimson fountaingrass plant

Flower

  • Spike, 3-12 in. long and 1-2 in. wide; purplish bristles; can be droopy 
Photo of crimson fountaingrass plant
Crimson fountaingrass flower

Root

  • Fibrous
Photo of a hill with a field crimson fountaingrass plants

Other

  • Grows best in climates with mild winters; often infests disturbed areas such as roadsides, desert areas, washes and waste areas; known to occur in Clark county
  • Perennial; reproduces by seed
  • Can be a fire hazard
  • Ornamental; cultivars that DO NOT produce viable seed are NOT considered noxious in Nevada.
 

Control

  • Hand removal (including the crown) of individual plants is effective for small infestations; burning is NOT effective and may cause weed density to increase
  • Apply fluzaifop, glyphosate or sethoxydim to actively growing plants; imazapyr pre- or post emergence 
Peer Review Logo
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Crimson fountaingrass, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

Also of Interest: