Common name: Buffel Grass
Cenchrus ciliaris L. APNI* Synonyms: Pennisetum cenchroides Rich. APNI*
Description: Perennial to 1 m high with a tough rootstock.
Leaves with ligule a ciliate rim; blade 2–8 mm wide, flat, scaberulous; sheath scaberulous to smooth.
Panicle spike-like, moderately dense, 2.5–15 cm long; bristles numerous, the outer very slender, about as long as the spikelets, inner slightly stouter. Spikelets 1–3 per cluster, acute, 3.5–5 mm long, usually glabrous. Lower glume 2–3 mm long, nerveless or 1-nerved, acute to acuminate; upper 2–3.5 mm long, 1–3-nerved, mucronate. Lower lemma male or sterile, rarely bisexual, c. 3.5 mm long, obtuse, usually 5-nerved; palea about as long as lemma, or suppressed. Upper lemma bisexual, c. 4 mm long, 5–7-nerved; palea subequal to lemma.
Flowering: summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows mostly on sandy soils, planted for pastures, and for erosion control. Native of N Hemi.
NSW subdivisions: *CC, *NT, *CT, *NWS, *CWS, *NWP, *SWP, *NFWP, *SFWP
Other Australian states: *Qld *Vic. *W.A. *S.A. *N.T.
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs & S. M. Hastings
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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