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

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


Needs Assessment for Noxious Weeds in Churchill County: Part 4 of 5 - Criteria for Herbicide Use and Selection This fact sheet is the fourth in a series of five that reports the results of a needs assessment survey completed by faculty in University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE). The survey attempted to identify the major issues related to the management and control of weeds in N... Davison, J., Powell, P., Schultz, B., and Singletary, L. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds: Hoary Cress Plants commonly referred to as hoary cress (Cardaria sp.), or short whitetop, are one of three different but closely related perennial forbs. The Cardaria species are widespread across all eleven Western states, including every county in Nevada. B. Schultz, S. Foster 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-21-03
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – African mustard African mustard 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., H. Kratsch, Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common crupina Common crupina 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 – Common St. Johnswort Common St. Johnswort 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

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Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Crimson fountaingrass