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scientific_name:
Pennisetum setaceum
taxon_meaning_id:
495
species description:
Common names: Fountain grass (English); Pronkgras (Afrikaans)
Origin: North Africa
Description
Large, tuft-forming, sparsely branched, perennial grass up to 1 m high. Leaves up to 40 x 3 mm, neither rigid nor spine-tipped. Flowers carried on a bristly, feathery-looking, spike-like inflorescence up to 25 cm long at stem tips, often flushed purple or pink.
Discussion
Planted as an ornamental, easily and rapidly invades a variety of habitats, replacing indigenous grasses. Common in road verges and other disturbed sites.
Bird reported from Namibia but no unequivocal evidence:
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