File:Pennisetum setaceum (357067285).jpg

Common name: African fountain grass, Tender fountain grass, Fountain grass, Purple fountain grass

Botanical name: Pennisetum setaceum - [ (pen-ih-SEE-tum) referring to a feather; (se-TAY-see-um) meaning bristly ] Synonyms: Pennisetum ruppelii Steud. • Phalaris setacea Forsk. Family: Poaceae (formerly and, also known as Gramineae; grass family) - [ (poh-AY-see-ay) the Poa (grass; from the Greek for an ancient name of grass used for fodder) family; formerly Graminae ]

Origin: North Africa

Fountain grass is a very showy ornamental grass with graceful, arching leaves, and erect or nodding rose-colored flower spikes up to 12 in long. Fountain grass grows in dense, symmetrical clumps that can get 3-4 ft tall and 2-3 ft across with a fountain of feathery plumes flowing out of the foliage.

'Cupreum' has reddish stems and leaves, and copper-colored plumes. 'Rubrum' and 'Purpureum' are larger, to 5 ft tall, with dark purple leaves and burgundy-red, nodding plumes to 15 in long. 'Eaton Canyon' is a miniature, to 30 in high, with burgundy-red foliage and plumes. These cultivars generally do not set seed, and therefore are good choices for tropical and subtropical climates where the species could become invasive.

Courtesy: - Flowers of India - Dave's Garden