Scientific Name:
Cenchrus orientalis
( syn.
Pennisetum orientale
)
Pronunciation:
SEN-crus or-ee-en-TAH-lay
Common Name:
oriental fountain grass
Family Name:
Poaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial, Poales (grass-like)
Key ID Features:
Grass tall, up to 60cm tall; leaves 3-5mm wide, mid-green, ridged, raised midrib underside; panicles fluffy, fuzzy, arching, tan, Aug-Sep; fruit, Sep-Oct.
Habit:
Arching, Dense, Upright
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
South Asia / India
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Rocky or gravelly or dry, Well-drained
Water Use:
Low, Winter dry, Summer dry
Landscape Uses:
Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Dried flower or fruit, Fall interest, Group or mass planting, Perennial border, Rock garden, Small garden/space, Specimen plant, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown may include P. 'Karley Rose'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Grass-like
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Colour in Summer:
Bluish
Colour in Fall:
Bluish
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Serrulate
Inflorescence Type:
Spikelet, Spike-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Pink
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Aug, Sep
Fruit Type:
Grain (caryopsis)
Fruit Colour:
Brown, Silver
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot, Rust (Pest resistant, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant)
