Cenchrus macrourus Trin.) Morrone

In its native range, Pennisetum macrourum forms dense stands in the margins of and along wetlands such as rivers, streams and standing water bodies on a variety of soils from deep sandy silts to dark clays. It often grows with other tall grasses such as Phragmites australis, as well as other species such as Mariscus congestus, M. keniensis and Oldenlandia lancifolia (Swanpoel 2006).

Outside its native range, it invades poor pasture areas, roadside verges and reserves (Environment Waikato Regional Council 2002). The Australian Department of Primary Industries and Water (2002) reports that the plant is mainly found along roadsides, waste areas, banks of small creeks and rivers and areas with moisture ability. It occasionally invades poorly maintained pasture. Young plants exhibit a great need for a constant supply of moisture, however, mature well-established plants are capable of with-standing long periods of drought. Apparently in New Zealand African feather grass prefers to grow in damp places such as ponds, river systems, coastlines, estuaries and gullies. However it can also be found in bare sand, low shrubland and dry and disturbed forest (Environment Canterbury 2003). While it mainly colonizes road sides, river-banks and waste areas (where adequate moisture is available) it requires full sunlight. Rarely will dense infestation occur within a shady bush-land or forest environment (Australian Department of Primary Industries and Water 2002) (derived from the Global Invasive Species Database).