Its flowers are purplish when young and white when they are dry. This grass can grow up to a meter in height. Once it is established it can be very difficult to pull out and must be killed with herbicides. Fountain grass is able to spread under the right conditions. In dry areas like the slopes of Diamond Head it grows quickly during the rainy season.
Fire danger increases as the dense leaves of fountain grass die back and dry out during the summer.
This could add to the already dangerous conditions along the Waianae Coast. You can help. Please prevent the spread of this grass by not purchasing or planting fountain grass seeds. Clean your clothing and equipment after hiking in areas infested with fountain grass. Call the fountain grass working group to volunteer your time to eradicate fountain grass or report new sightings of this grass.