Cenchrus purpureus

Common Name: Napier grass

Family: Poaceae

Common Synonyms: Pennisetum purpureum

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7b-11

Growth Habit: Large, perennial grass

Origin: NA

FISC Category: 1

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: 1913

IFAS Assessment:

• North: HIGH INVASION RISK
• Central: HIGH INVASION RISK
• South: HIGH INVASION RISK

Description

Large grass with erect stems that can grow up to 5 m tall. Leaves up to 4 cm wide and 1 m or more long and are flat and have very fine teeth along margins and few hairs on leaf surface. The ligule has long hairs. Flowers in long tan to green cylindrical spikes (13 to 30 cm long). Each spike is composed of numerous spikelets with bristles.

Habitat

Ruderal, edges of disturbed waterways, pastures, scrub, hammocks, floodplain swamp, and other wetland habitats

Comments

Prevents regeneration of native species. Known to block flood control systems and reduce water flow in water ways.

Control Methods

• Manual: Mechanical: manually removing small plants is effective, but care must be given to remove all fragments of roots.
• Chemical: NA
• Biological: NA

Control Notes

NA

References

Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Floridas Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp.

IFAS, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. 2017. Pennisetum purpureum. http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/pennisetum-purpureum/Accessed September 19, 2017.

IFAS, UF. 2017. Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Pennisetum purpureum. https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/pennisetum-purpureum/Accessed September 19, 2017.