# Red Fountain Grass (*Pennisetum setaceum*) Red Fountain Grass is a decorative grass that has reddish-purple plumes. It adds a splash of color to gardens! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens and sunny areas ![Red Fountain Grass](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426612/objects/5063.jpg) ## Appearance The Red Fountain Grass has graceful, arching clumps of narrow, reddish-purple leaves. Its most striking feature is the soft, bottlebrush-like flower plumes that emerge in summer, often in shades of pink, burgundy, or reddish-brown, swaying gently. These feathery plumes stand out vividly against its foliage, giving it a distinctive 'fountain' shape. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Magnoliophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Poales - **Family:** Poaceae - **Genus:** Pennisetum ## Interesting facts - Despite its beauty, it's considered an invasive weed in many warm regions across the globe! - It earned its name because its arching leaves and plumes resemble a watery fountain! - Its seeds are so tiny, one plant can produce thousands, ready to drift away on the breeze! - Originally from North Africa, it now grows on every continent except icy Antarctica! ## Special abilities - **Desert Drinker:** Red Fountain Grass can thrive in dry, sandy soils thanks to its efficient root system that helps it find and store water. - **Seed Spreader:** This grass produces abundant, fluffy seeds that are easily carried by the wind, helping it spread and colonize new areas. - **Rapid Regrowth:** Red Fountain Grass can quickly regrow after disturbances like fire, using stored energy to sprout fresh shoots. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-150 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 - **Eats:** [Mourning Dove](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mourning-dove) (*Zenaida macroura*) — Doves eat its plentiful seeds. - **Eats:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Mice consume its seeds, aiding dispersal. - **Shelter:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — Small lizards hide within its dense leaves. ## Traits - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [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. - [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 - [Grasses](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses) - [Grasses, Shrubs & Bushes](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses-shrubs-and-bushes) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red 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 Red Fountain Grass? 60-150 cm ### How wide does Red Fountain Grass spread? 60-120 cm ### How big are the flowers on Red Fountain Grass? 15-30 cm ### When does Red Fountain Grass bloom? Summer to Fall ### Is Red Fountain Grass edible? No ### Is Red Fountain Grass toxic? None ### What is Red Fountain Grass's lifecycle? Perennial ## 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: [Red Fountain Grass: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fountain-grass)