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(Cenchrus longisetus)
Feathertop Grass (Cenchrus longisetus)
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Josep Gesti
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Josep Gesti
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Josep Gesti | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Josep Gesti | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-11-10T14:57:35-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Cenchrus longisetus, commonly known as feathertop grass, is a perennial grass native to open woodlands and grasslands in tropical and subtropical regions in the Ethiopian Highlands. It is a member of the Poaceae family and is known for its ornamental value, particularly the showy inflorescence. Feathertop grass forms rhizomatous clumps and produces erect stems that can reach up to 75 centimeters in height. The inflorescence is a distinctive feature, consisting of a panicle with clustered spikelets surrounded by a cloudlike mass of plumose white bristles up to 5 centimeters long, which are particularly showy in the breeze. This plant blooms in the summer and early fall, adding texture and movement to garden settings.
Feathertop grass has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its value in ornamental horticulture. It is often used in borders, as a specimen plant, or in mass plantings for a dramatic effect. The plant thrives in full sun and requires medium amounts of water, making it suitable for a variety of garden conditions. It prefers soils with medium drainage and is relatively easy to maintain. However, gardeners should be aware that Cenchrus longisetus can be invasive outside its native range, particularly in California, and should check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Feathertop grass has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its value in ornamental horticulture. It is often used in borders, as a specimen plant, or in mass plantings for a dramatic effect. The plant thrives in full sun and requires medium amounts of water, making it suitable for a variety of garden conditions. It prefers soils with medium drainage and is relatively easy to maintain. However, gardeners should be aware that Cenchrus longisetus can be invasive outside its native range, particularly in California, and should check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 0.5-2 feet
- Width: 0-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
native to open woodlands and grasslands in tropical and subtropical regions in the Ethiopian Highlands
Other Names
Common Names: Feathertop, Dunborstgräs, White Foxtail
Scientific Names: , Pennisetum villosum, Cenchrus longisetus, Pennisetum villosum var. humile, Cenchrus villosus, Pennisetum angustifolium,
GBIF Accepted Name: Cenchrus longisetus M.C.Johnst.