(Pennisetum villosum)
Family: Poaceae
Description:
- Perennial clumping grass
- Grows up to 3’ tall
- The leaf blades are flat and light green
- The stems are round with distinctive feathery seed-heads that can grow 2-5 inches long and can be spread by the wind
- The inflorescence is a panicle of clustered spikelets surrounded by white bristles
- Native Africa and Arabia and was first noted on Big Island in 1938 as an ornamental plant
Harm:
- Forms dense clumps that will dominate an infested area
- Is a fire-promoting grass that recovers quickly after fire
- Is not good pasture grass and degrades the quality of pasture lands
- Quickly spreads vegetatively by rhizomes, as well as by seeds in contaminated soils, machinery, via animals, and by wind.
On Kauai:
Several known locations in Puhi and Kilauea. KISC is currently monitoring seedling presence and removing with landowner permission. Please do your part and either remove this plant from landscaping or report any sightings.
You can plant pono by either removing Feathertop Grass from your landscaping or reporting it to KISC at 808-821-1490 or kisc@hawaii.edu . KISC crew members help identify suitable pono replacements.
