# Fountain Grass (*Cenchrus setaceus*) Fountain Grass is a beautiful plant with fluffy, feathery flowers that look like little fountains. It grows tall and can sway in the breeze, making it a lovely sight in gardens and parks. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Fountain Grass](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pennisetum_setaceum_Fountain_Grass_%E1%83%9E%E1%83%94%E1%83%9C%E1%83%98%E1%83%96%E1%83%94%E1%83%A2%E1%83%A3%E1%83%9B%E1%83%98.JPG&width=800) Photo: Lazaregagnidze, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pennisetum_setaceum_Fountain_Grass_%E1%83%9E%E1%83%94%E1%83%9C%E1%83%98%E1%83%96%E1%83%94%E1%83%A2%E1%83%A3%E1%83%9B%E1%83%98.JPG) ## Appearance The Fountain Grass has slender, arching green leaves that create a graceful, fountain-like mound. It's easily recognized by its distinctive fluffy, bottle-brush plumes, which can range in color from pinkish-purple to reddish-brown, swaying elegantly in the wind. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Poales - **Family:** Poaceae - **Genus:** Cenchrus ## Interesting facts - Even after drying, its beautiful plumes often stay standing, swaying all winter long! - If you touch its fluffy seed heads, they feel incredibly soft, like a tiny feather duster! - Its name comes from its fountain-like shape, with graceful, arching leaves! - This adaptable grass can thrive in many different soils and climates around the world! ## Special abilities - **Endurance Roots:** Fountain Grass has deep, tough roots that help it survive long dry spells and prevent soil erosion. - **Wind Rider Seeds:** Its tiny, lightweight seeds are designed to be carried far by the wind, helping it spread to new sunny places. - **Sun Armor:** Fountain Grass has strong, narrow leaves that help it endure intense sunlight and heat without wilting. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-120 cm - **Spread:** 60-120 cm - **Flower Size:** 15-30 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer to Fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Grazes on young foliage. - **Eaten by:** [American Goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-goldfinch) (*Carduelis tristis*) — Feeds on ripe seeds. - **Eaten by:** [American Bird Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bird-grasshopper) (*Schistocerca americana*) — Chews on leaves and stems. ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not touch the grass too hard; it can be prickly! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Fountain Grass? Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Fountain Grass? 60-120 cm ### How wide does Fountain Grass spread? 60-120 cm ### How big are the flowers on Fountain Grass? 15-30 cm ### When does Fountain Grass bloom? Summer to Fall ### Is Fountain Grass edible? No ### Is Fountain Grass toxic? None ### What is Fountain Grass's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Santa Ana Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santa-ana-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Mission Hills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mission-hills) — California, US · Historic Site - [Ocean Beach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ocean-beach) — California, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Fountain Grass](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/fountain-grass) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Fountain Grass: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fountain-grass)