Plant Management in Florida Waters
Napier grass
Quick Facts
- Scientific name: Pennisetum purpureum
- Origin: Old World, Africa
- Introduction:Early 1900s, forage grass
- Aquatic community: Emergent grass
- Habitat: Shorelines, wet to dry soils
- Distribution: Central and South Florida
- Management effort: Complaint management
- 2017 public waters / plant acres: 8 (2%) / 53
- 2017 Waters / acres controlled: 0 / 0
Environmental and Economic Concerns
- Clump-forming grass up to 12 feet tall along shorelines, in wet to dry soils
- Most often in disturbed areas, especially along canal banks
- Tall, dense growths can hinder boat launch or shoreline access
- Hinders flood control by blocking access to canals and impeding water flow
- Deep fibrous root system enables drought resistance, but plant can be injured by freezes
- Propagates vegetatively from root crown divisions or rhizome and stem fragments, especially after mechanical control such as tilling
