Cenchrus purpureus
Common name
elephant grass
Synonyms
Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.
Family
Poaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Grasses
Conservation status
Not applicable
Brief description
Very large perennial grass, with 20–30 mm wide leaf blades. Inflorescence a simple spike-like panicle, involucral bristles plumose.
Habitat
Terrestrial.
Detailed description
Robust tufted perennial grass to 3 m or more. Rhizome 6 mm diameter. Leaf-blade up to 75 cm × 3 cm, flat with numerous fine appressed hairs. Culm internodes with fine hairs for some distance below inflorescence. Panicle 14 × 2 cm, cylindric and spike-like.
Life cycle
Perennial. Reproduction mainly vegetative.
Year naturalised
1990
Origin
Tropical Africa
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
Tolerances
Tolerates a range of conditions (0–500 m), but killed by frost. Drought resistant.
Etymology
cenchrus: From the Greek cenchros which means millet
National Pest Plant Accord species
This plant is listed in the 2020 National Pest Plant Accord. The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is an agreement to prevent the sale and/or distribution of specified pest plants where either formal or casual horticultural trade is the most significant way of spreading the plant in New Zealand. For up to date information and an electronic copy of the 2020 Pest Plant Accord manual (including plant information and images) visit the MPI website.