Cenchrus polystachios ssp. setosus

Common Name: West Indian pennisetum

Family: Poaceae

Common Synonyms: Cenchrus polystachios, Cenchrus setosus, Panicum polystachion

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8b-11a

Growth Habit: Graminoid

Origin: Africa

FISC Category: 2

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: Yes

Introduction Date: Earliest Florida voucher 1997

IFAS Assessment:

• North: PROHIBITED
• Central: PROHIBITED
• South: PROHIBITED

Description

An annual or short-lived perennial grass that reaches up to 2 m high. Blades are linear and up to 55 cm in hieght. Glabrous or pubescent near the base. Sheath margines and ligules are pubescent. Flowering occurs from summer to fall. Inflorescences are upright, spike-like panicles to 35 cm long and are yellow, brown, or purple in color. Spikelets up to 5 mm long.

Habitat

Disturbed sites.

Comments

Spreads primarily through seeds, although can spread vegetatively through stem segments.

Control Methods

• Manual: NA
• Chemical: NA
• Biological: NA

Control Notes

No specific recommendations available, herbaceous plants can generally be treated with foliar application of glyphosate.

References

IFAS, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. 2018. Pennisetum polystachion. http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/pennisetum-polystachion/. Accessed on June 11, 2018.