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Products > Setaria palmifolia 'Little Geno'   Setaria palmifolia 'Little Geno' - Dwarf Palm Grass       Habit and Cultural Information Category: Grass Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) (Grasses) Origin: India (Asia) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Green Bloomtime: Summer Synonyms: [Panicum palmifolium] Height: 1-2 feet Width: 1-2 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Seaside: Yes Summer Dry: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F Setaria palmifolia 'Little Geno' (Dwarf Palm Grass) - A dwarf form of the large form of Palm Grass that has yet to grow over 18 inches tall with an equal spread. Like the species it has broad pleated leaves that resemble a palm leaf and likely will flower spikes that emerge in summer to grow above the foliage, though we have not seen if flower yet. Plant in full coastal sun to light shade where it should prove hardy to the low 20's° F without suffering damage - the parent plant sailed through our December 1990 and January 2007 freezes without damage. This species provides a very tropical look that is nice with ponds or other water features and this selections smaller size should make it useful in smaller garden situations. This was a seedling variant that was selected from our crop of the species by our Shipping Manager Gene Leisch who noticed its diminutive stature. Setaria palmifolia is native to China, southern Japan, Taiwan, the Indian Sub-continent and south-eastern Asia The name for the genus is from the Latin word 'seta' meaning "bristle" referring to the bristles on the spikelets and the specific epithet is in reference to the palm-like look of the leaves. It was first described by the Austrian botanist Otto Stapf in 1914. We also grow the full size form Setaria palmifolia..  The information on this page is based on research conducted about this plant in the San Marcos Growers library, from online sources, and from observations made of the crops growing in our nursery, plants in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we may have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Setaria palmifolia 'Little Geno'.     [MORE INFO]