Here’s a quick look at fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum. It has become a dangerous invasive that fuels fires and threatens native ecosystems, especially riparian areas.

Buffelgrass, Pennisetum ciliare, a close relative to fountain grass, is also a dangerous fire threat. Sold as cattle forage, buffelgrass is an aggressive invader. It has spread along roadsides into urban areas and wildlands. Buffelgrass fires can kill saguaros, palo verdes and other signature plants of the Sonoran Desert. By removing fountain grass and buffelgrass from your area, you’re helping to preserve the Sonoran Desert as we know it.

Fountain grass spreads by seed into canyons and washes and along roadsides. It crowds out native plants and dries into fuel for wildfires. Native species, including hundred year old Saguaros, can be destroyed by one wildfire.