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Cenchrus purpurascens Thunb.
| Family Name: | Poaceae (Gramineae) |
| Synonyms: | Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng. |
| Common Name: | Chinese Fountain Grass, Swamp Foxtail Grass, Swamp Foxtail, Chinese Pennisetum, 狼尾草, 狗尾草, 大狗草, 狗仔尾, 小芒草, 油包草 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Grass & Grass-like Plant (Tall Grass (Poaceae)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Grassy |
| Maximum Height | 1 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.5 m to 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | China to Temperate Eastern Asia, Western and Central Malesia, Northwestern and Eastern Australia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Riverine, Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Temperate |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial tufted grass that grows in slowly-expanding dense clumps usually up to 1 m tall (occasionally up to 1.5 m tall). |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green, narrow leaves are up to 1.2 cm wide. |
| Flowers | The cylindrical, foxtail-like inflorescence resembles a spike but is a panicle. |
| Habitat | Naturally occurs in open lowlands and grassy areas. |
| Taxonomy | The cultivated species cited as Pennisetum alopecuroides in Chong et al. (2009), A Checklist of the Total Vascular Plant Flora of Singapore, is in fact Cenchrus purpurascens Thunb.. |
| Cultivation | Prefers sunny spots, tolerates partial shade but may not flower well. Withstands poorly-drained soils, able to grow in 10cm depth of water. Foliage may be cut back from time to time. Propagate by division. Plant tends to be open up in the centre with age -- divide the open clump to rejuvenate it. Not known to be aggressive or sucessfully self-seeding under local conditions. Does not spread by underground rhizomes. Slow-release phosphorus-rich fertilizer may be added to soil mix during planting, but fertilization is generally not necessary after establishment. Excess nutrients may suppress flower formation. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Seeds Cut - Dried Flower: The inflorescence is ideal for bouquets. Others: Food: Seeds can be grounded into powder and used as flour. It is used as a famine food in India. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, General, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden, Water Garden, Naturalistic Garden, Wildflower Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Abiotic (Wind) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Wind, Water), Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Other Mammal)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Disease / Pest Resistant, Waterlogged Soils, Moist Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Pruning | Cut back old foliage by two-thirds of its length once a year during active growth. |
| Fertilizing | Use low-phosphorus slow-release fertilizer in potting mix, or apply liquid fertilizer during cultivation. Once planted out, generally does not require fertilization as excessive nutrients may suppress inflorescence production. |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
| Planting Distance | 0.9 m to 1.2 m |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Scaly |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire, Ciliate / Hairy |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
| Typical Foliar Size | 80 cm |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Weeks |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Caryopsis / Grain |
References
| References | Darke, Rick. 2007. The Encyclopedia of Grasses for Livable Landscapes. USA: Timber Press. 487pp. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 15637 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3333 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
