Scientific Name:
Saccharum ravennae
Pronunciation:
suh-KAIR-um ra-VEN-ay-ee
Common Name:
hardy pampas grass, ravenna grass
Family Name:
Poaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial, Invasive plant, Poales (grass-like)
Key ID Features:
Leaves arching, serrulate, linear, up to 1m long x 2.5cm wide, grayish green with a white midrib, attractive bronzing in the fall; spikelets in purplish-bronze feathery panicles up to 60cm long x 15cm wide; plumes with silky hairs turning to silver-gray in fall and may persist until spring.
Habit:
Arching
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
2 - 3m
Mature Spread:
1.0 - 1.5m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
South America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Cut flower or foliage, Perennial border, Screening, Winter interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Grass-like
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Rugose
Colour in Summer:
Green, Silver / Grayish
Colour in Fall:
Bronze
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Serrulate
Inflorescence Type:
Spikelet, Floriferous, Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Dioecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Purple, Bronze
Flower Time at Peak:
Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
About half individuals will have perfect flowers and the other half pistilate flowers
Fruit Type:
Grain (caryopsis)
Fruit Colour:
Silver
Fruiting Time:
Oct, Nov
Additional Info:
Showy, Persistent,
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant)
