Family: Poaceae

Cenchrus elegans, commonly known as Pacific fountain grass or burgundy giant, is a perennial ornamental grass native to the Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It is widely grown for its graceful, arching foliage and showy, bottlebrush-like flower plumes that range from burgundy to deep purple. Drought-tolerant and fast-growing, it is commonly used in landscaping for borders, mass plantings, and as a dramatic accent in dry or low-maintenance gardens.

While attractive, Cenchrus elegans can pose environmental concerns in Hawaiʻi and other island ecosystems. It may escape cultivation and spread by wind-dispersed seeds, forming dense stands that can displace native plants. In dry areas, this grass may increase fire risk by adding fine fuels to the landscape, which can negatively affect native ecosystems, cultural resources, and surrounding communities. For these reasons, its use is discouraged near natural areas, and management focuses on preventing spread and protecting native habitats.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Hawaii Island
  
• Other Cenchrus species are invasive
  
• Unpalatable
  
• Presumably reproduces by seeds
  
• Dispersed and cultivated intentionally by people
  
• Limited ecological information reduces accuracy of risk prediction

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of detrimental impacts
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Ornamental
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides effective in control of invasive Cenchrus species would presumably work on Cenchrus elegans