Scientific Name:
Pennisetum massaicum
'Red Bunny Tails'
Pronunciation:
pen-ih-SEE-tum mass-AY-ih-kum
Common Name:
Red Bunny Tails
Family Name:
Poaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial, Poales (grass-like)
Key ID Features:
Leaves to 45cm long, green with burgundy highlights, ligules and auricles very hairy; inflorescence fluffy, silvery-red bunny tail-like.
Habit:
Arching, Upright
Form:
Mounded
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Africa, Garden origin
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 7: (-18 to -12 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Ground cover, Group or mass planting, Perennial border, Summer interest, Waterside planting
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Grass-like
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Green, Dark-red, Green leaves highlighted with burgundy-red
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Spikelet, Spike-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Dark-red, Silver (Silvery-red drying to tan)
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Fruit Type:
Grain (caryopsis)
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant)
