Pennisetum
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 Pennisetum setaceum growing on a
lava flow near Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i |
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About 80 species; see text |
Pennisetum is a genus of grasses in the grass family (Poaceae, subfamily Panicoideae, tribe Paniceae), native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. They are large annual or perennial grasses, reaching 1-4 m tall. The genus includes a number of species grown for oramental purposes (such as Fountain Grass), as well as a type of millet, and a pasture form (Kikuyu Grass) originating from the highlands of Kenya.
- Selected species
- Pennisetum alopecuroides - Chinese Pennisetum
- Pennisetum ciliare - Buffelgrass
- Pennisetum glaucum - Pearl Millet
- Pennisetum latifolium - Uruguay Pennisetum
- Pennisetum macrostachyum
- Pennisetum macrourum
- Pennisetum orientale
- Pennisetum purpureum - Elephant Grass
- Pennisetum setaceum - Fountain Grass
- Pennisetum villosum - Feathertop Grass
- Pennisetum clandestinum - Kikuyu Grass
