Stop the spread of

Fountain grass, (Pennisetum setaceum) is a grass that was brought to Hawaii as an ornamental plant at the turn of the century. It has escaped from cultivation and is spreading into the dryer areas of the islands.

Natural area managers would like to control existing fountain grass populations and prevent the further spread of this grass. Fountain grass replaces native grasses such as pili grass and prevents native dry forest seedlings from growing. Fountain grass has already replaced pili grass along the Kona coast of the island of Hawaii.

It is a clumping perennial grass with gray green leaves that are rough to the touch. Its flowers are purplish when young and white when they are dry. This grass can grow up to a meter in height. Once it is established it can be very difficult to pull out and must be killed with herbicides.

Fountain grass is able to spread under the right conditions. In dry areas like the slopes of Diamond Head it grows quickly during the rainy season. Fire danger increases as the dense leaves of fountain grass die back and dry out during the summer. This could add to the already dangerous conditions along the Waianae Coast.

You can help.
1. Please prevent the spread of this grass by not purchasing or planting fountain grass seeds.
2. Clean your clothing and equipment after hiking in areas infested with fountain grass.
3. Call the fountain grass working group to volunteer your time to eradicate fountain grass or report new sightings of this grass.