Pennisetum alopecuroides f. viridescens(Chinese pennisetum, "Aochikarashiba")
Japanese name: アオチカラシバ（青力芝） Scientific name:Pennisetum alopecuroides f. viridescens
[Overview]
A perennial 60–90 cm tall, found along roadsides and on vacant lots.
It forms large clumps.
The culms (stems) do not branch.
The leaves are linear, 10–45 cm long and 0.3–0.6 cm wide, and are produced in large numbers.
The leaf sheaths are flattened and keeled.
A cylindrical spike 10–15 cm long and 4–5 cm across is borne at the stem tip, densely set with many spikelets.
The spikelets have long involucral bracts (awns), and the spike looks like a bottle-washing brush.
The spike is usually pale green.
The spikelets are lanceolate, about 0.7 cm long; the second glume is about half the length of the spikelet and has distinct veins.
The fruit falls off together with the hairs at its tip and is carried by animals and other means.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
It is hardy and easy to grow.
Rainfall is sufficient for watering.
Fertilizing is not particularly necessary if basal fertilizer has been applied.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
[Notes]
The Japanese name derives from the fact that the roots grow strongly and the plant is hard to pull out even when force is applied.
