Japanese name: シロガネチカラシバ（白銀力芝） Scientific name:Pennisetum villosum
[Overview]
A perennial about 60 cm tall.
It has a rhizome, and the culms (stems) grow in tufts, either erect or arching.
The leaves are alternate and linear, about 15 cm long and 1 cm wide.
A short cylindrical to ovoid spike 5–10 cm long is borne at the stem tip, densely set with many spikelets.
The spikelets have long involucral bracts (awns) that are white to tinged with pale brown, giving the spike a feathery look.
The spike often becomes tinged with purple when mature.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It is sensitive to cold, so it is sometimes treated as an annual.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
It is hardy and easy to grow.
For potted plants, water thoroughly once the soil has dried; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny weather continues and the soil becomes severely dry.
Fertilizing is not particularly necessary if basal fertilizer has been applied.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
