Stem

Up to 5 ft. tall; round in cross-section; grows in bunches

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

Crimson fountaingrass plant

Flower

Spike, 3-12 in. long and 1-2 in. wide; purplish bristles; can be droopy

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

Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Crimson fountaingrass, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


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 – Crimson fountaingrass