Green Fountain Grass When we hear that a plant is a weed, we often envision something unpleasant to see, touch or have nearby, such as a stinging nettle or some thistles. If that were true, weed control would be less challenging than it is – everyone would want to remove the pests!

The unfortunate fact is, a plant need not be ugly to pose a big problem. Some of our most environmentally destructive weeds were actually introduced as lovely landscape plants. Only after they have become overly successful, crowding out members of the native plant community, does their negative potential become clear.

One of those pest plants is green fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum. It has thrived throughout the world wherever it has been introduced. In the Western United States, its drought tolerance gives it an advantage over less tolerant native or introduced plants.

For the complete description, how to control it and replacement plants, use the link below to download the PDF version.

O'Callaghan, A. M., and Robinson, ML 2014, Green Fountain Grass, Extension, University of Nevada Reno, FS-14-11

Printable Version (PDF)

Extension Associated Contacts

Martha Barajas

Angela O'Callaghan

M.L. Robinson

Also of Interest:


A Change in the Ecological Understanding of Rangelands in the Great Basin and Intermountain West and Implications for Management: Revisiting Mack and Thompson (1982) Perryman, P., Schultz, B., Meiman, P. 2021, Rangeland Ecology & Management Vol 76, Pages 1-11
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Crimson fountaingrass Crimson fountaingrass is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Johnsongrass Johnsongrass is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Jointed goatgrass Jointed goatgrass is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Oxidative stability of beef from steers finished exclusively with concentrate, supplemented, or on legume-grass pasture Fruet, A.P.B., de Mello, A.S., Trombetta, F., Stefanello, F.S., Speroni, C.S., de Vargas, D.P., de Souza, A.N.M., Rosado Júnior, A.G., Tonetto, C.J., Nörnberg, J.L. 2018, Meat Science

Associated Programs

Desert Demonstration Garden

Extension's Pahrump Master Gardener Volunteers maintain the Desert Demonstration Garden, which features landscape and fruit trees, shrubs and plants suitable for the Mojave Desert climate, plus seasonal vegetable beds to show what you can grow to feed yourself and your family. The garden is free and open to the public.

Desert Green, Commercial Water Conservation Training

Desert Green is in its eleventh year and is designed to educate commercial clientele in the Green Industry as well as others who have an interest in water conservation issues. A committee representing the industry implements the training. Desert Green is chaired by one industry representative and one Extension representative. The program is presented once a year, with 36 classes taught in a two-day period.

Nevada Desert Bioscape

Extension’s Desert Bioscape program takes a holistic approach to conserving natural resources in an urban setting. This program targets adult learners in the green industry of southern Nevada. The program uses the successful Correctional Horticultural program as a model for development.

Green Fountain Grass

For the complete description, how to control it and replacement plants, use the link below to download the PDF version.

Published by: O'Callaghan, A. M., and Robinson, ML, 2014, Green Fountain Grass, Extension, University of Nevada Reno, FS-14-11