Cenchrus longisetus M.C.Johnst.

Veldkamp, J. F., 2014, A revision of Cenchrus incl. Pennisetum (Gramineae) in Malesia with some general nomenclatural notes, Blumea 59 (1), pp. 59-75 : 68

9. Cenchrus longisetus M.C.Johnst.

Cenchrus longisetus M.C.Johnst. (1963) 182. — Pennisetum villosum R.Br. ((1814) lxiii, nomen) ex Fresen. (1836) 134. — Cenchrus villosus Kuntze (1898) 347, non Spreng. (1824). — Type: Salt s.n. (holo FR;? BM).

Pennisetum longistylum auct. non A.Rich.

Perennials. Culms erect, not stoloniferous, rhizomatous, 0.15– 0.75 m long, nodes glabrous. Ligule a setose rim, c. 0.15 mm long, setae 0.7–1.1 mm long. Blades involute, 3.5–65 cm by 1.5–5 mm, margins scaberulous. Peduncle pilose below the panicle. Panicle exserted, many-spikeled, 4–12 cm long, common axis scaberulous to pubescent. Involucre stipitate, disarticulating at base. Bristles many, rather stiff, pilose (some outer ones excepted), unequal, 15–30 mm long, longest bristle 25–45 mm long. Spikelets 1–2 within the involucre, sessile, 8.25–11 mm long. Lower glume 0–1.35 mm long, 0–0.53 times as long as the upper glume; upper glume 1.65–4.1 mm long, 1-nerved. First lemma epaleate to paleate, male, acuminate to aristate, membranous, 7–11-nerved, glabrous, nerves scaberulous; second lemma 8.25–11 mm long, acuminate to aristate, membranous. Anthers 3.6–5 mm long, apex glabrous. Styles and stigmas more or less completely fused, apically exserted, yellowish. 2n = (18, 27) 36, 45 (54).

Distribution — E Africa, Arabia, introduced elsewhere, e.g. Malesia: Java (Cibodas).

Habitat — Lawns, along paths, c. 1450 m altitude in Java.

Uses — Ornamental (as P. longistylum auct.), escaping.

Vernacular names — Feathertop, White foxtail.