Location
UNLV Student Union
Start Date
13-1-2009 8:00 AM
End Date
14-1-2009 6:00 PM
Description
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is an escaped ornamental perennial bunchgrass from Africa that has invaded parts of Hawaii and the Sonoran Desert. It is adapted to fire and increases hazardous fuels causing wildfires in areas that may not have historically occurred. It was detected in the late 1990’s within the Mojave Desert at Joshua Tree NP and along the Colorado River corridor on the shores of Lake Mohave. The extent of these populations was limited and a rapid response was necessary to keep it from spreading out of control. If no action is taken then fountain grass would spread by windblown seed similar to the way tamarisk has infested the region. The National Park Service began controlling these recently detected populations in 2001. Control is also occurring on adjacent US Fish and Wildlife Refuges by the NPS Lake Mead EPMT through partnerships agreements. Nevada designated fountain grass on the State Noxious Weed List in 2002 and one the largest commercial nurseries in the state voluntarily withdrew it from sales prior to listing. Populations of this weedy grass have dramatically declined due to successful control actions.
Keywords
California – Joshua Tree National Park; Fountain Grass; Invasive plants; Pennisetum setaceum; United States – Lake Mohave; United States – Mojave Desert; Weeds – Control; Wildfires
Disciplines
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Plant Sciences | Systems Biology | Weed Science
Language
English
COinS
Keeping Fountain Grass out of the Mojave Desert
UNLV Student Union
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is an escaped ornamental perennial bunchgrass from Africa that has invaded parts of Hawaii and the Sonoran Desert. It is adapted to fire and increases hazardous fuels causing wildfires in areas that may not have historically occurred. It was detected in the late 1990’s within the Mojave Desert at Joshua Tree NP and along the Colorado River corridor on the shores of Lake Mohave. The extent of these populations was limited and a rapid response was necessary to keep it from spreading out of control. If no action is taken then fountain grass would spread by windblown seed similar to the way tamarisk has infested the region. The National Park Service began controlling these recently detected populations in 2001. Control is also occurring on adjacent US Fish and Wildlife Refuges by the NPS Lake Mead EPMT through partnerships agreements. Nevada designated fountain grass on the State Noxious Weed List in 2002 and one the largest commercial nurseries in the state voluntarily withdrew it from sales prior to listing. Populations of this weedy grass have dramatically declined due to successful control actions.
Comments
File: Poster