Cenchrus purpureus aka Elephant Grass

Cenchrus purpureus is a large grass. People call it elephant grass or Napier grass. Older sources use the name Pennisetum purpureum. It belongs to Poaceae, the grass family. Its native range spans the Sahara and tropical Africa. It also grows wild in Aldabra and the Arabian Peninsula. People grow it in warm regions for fodder and other uses. It grows by rivers, along forest edges, and in damp grassland.

This grass grows fast and lives for more than one year. It forms thick clumps that can spread into colonies. Its stems look like bamboo. Its long, narrow green leaves stand upright, then curve outward. It keeps its leaves in warm climates that suit it. Garden figures give a height of about 6 feet [1.83 metres]. They give a spread of 5 feet [1.52 metres]. Other accounts give heights of 13–23 feet [4–7 metres]. Height can thus vary a lot between gardens and tropical sites. Missouri Botanical Garden lists yellow-brown blooms in October. Wind carries the pollen, and plants can set seed.

Give this grass full sun and rich soil that drains well. It copes with light shade and many types of soil. Water it through the growing season to support growth. Once plants take root, deep roots help them cope with drought. Ground that stays soaked does not suit them. It prefers slightly acid soil but accepts a wider pH range. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 8–10 for growth year after year. In colder areas, gardeners grow it for just one year. Plants can spend winter indoors in cool, sunny spaces. Tall stems may need support and shelter from strong winds.

Large clumps add height and contrast to borders and open spaces. Gardeners can grow them in pots, too. Farmers use the grass for fresh fodder, silage, and mulch. It also supplies biomass and helps keep soil from washing away. Rows can block wind or form hedges along land contours. Seeds and rhizomes, stems that grow below ground, help it spread. They allow it to grow beyond planted sites. It can invade frost-free areas and crowd out native plants. Check local rules that may limit planting before you plant it. Missouri Botanical Garden reports no major pest or disease problems. It does not advise using this species in landscape planting.

People use young leaves and shoots in soup. They also eat very young flower heads as vegetables. Processed stem ash supplies vegetable salt. Sources report its use in folk medicine in Africa. Those uses do not prove that treatments are safe. Plants For A Future and Useful Tropical Plants list no known hazards. This does not prove safety for every person or pet.