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Cenchrus 'Burgundy Giant'
| Family Name: | Poaceae (Gramineae) |
| Common Name: | Giant Fountain Grass, Burgundy Giant Fountain Grass |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Grass or Grass-like Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 1.2 m to 1.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland) |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Vigorous, corn-like, clump-forming, and more upright-growing than most other species from the same genus. New shoot arises from culm buds below or just above soil level of older culms, as well as from the nodal buds. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Distinctively burgundy, large, flat, and as wide as 2.5cm. |
| Stems | Upright, stiff but tend to be weighed down by the foliage after the plant reaches certain height. As such, it makes a better background plant. |
| Flowers | Large, foxtail-like and pendulous. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Roots: Aerial adventitious roots may be observed at the node of older culms nearer to soil level too. |
| Cultivation | Easily propagated by division and stem cutting. Rarely sets viable seed. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Abiotic (Wind) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Division |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Aggregate Fruit (Syncarp) |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Caryopsis / Grain |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30221 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4530 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
