Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone

Veldkamp, J. F., 2014, A revision of Cenchrus incl. Pennisetum (Gramineae) in Malesia with some general nomenclatural notes, Blumea 59 (1), pp. 59-75 : 67

6. Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone

Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone in Chemisquy et al. (2010) 127. — Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov. (1903) 41, t. 5, f. 2. — Pennisetum longistylum Hochst. var. clandestinum Leeke (? early 1907) 23 ( ‘ clandestina ’); Chiov. (? medio 1907) 319, isonym. — Kikuyuochloa clandestina H. Scholz (2006) 513. — Type: Schimper 2084 (holo FI; G, K, TUB).

Perennials. Culms mat-forming,stoloniferous,rhizomatous, 0.03– 0.15 m long, nodes glabrous. Ligule a setose rim, c. 0.15 mm long, setae 1.5–3.4 mm long. Blades flat, 2–15 cm by 2–4.5 mm, margins smooth. Peduncle virtually absent, glabrous below the panicle. Panicle enclosed in the uppermost sheath, 2–4(–6)-spikeled, common axis glabrous. Involucre not stipitate, disarticulating at base. Bristles few, soft, scaberulous, unequal, 2–8.5 mm long, longest bristle 4–8.5 mm long. Spikelets 1 within the involucre, sessile, 16–17 mm long. Glumes absent. First lemma epaleate, acuminate, membranous, 9–11-nerved, glabrous, nerves smooth; second lemma 16–17 mm long, acuminate, membranous. Anthers 3.9–5.5 mm long, apex glabrous. 2n = 36, 54.

Distribution — Originally from the mountains of E Africa, introduced elsewhere, e.g. Malesia: Malay Pen. (Pahang: Cam- eron Highlands), Sumatra (Palembang), Java (Cibeureum), Sabah (Pinosok Plateau), Philippines (Luzon), Papua New Guinea (Enga, W Highlands Prov.), and no doubt elsewhere: the plants are not easy to recognise as one usually only sees the thick, prostrate culms forming bands on the soil, but not the inconspicuous inflorescences with only the white stigmas protruding.

Habitat — Grasslands on fertile soil subjected to grazing, trampling, and mowing, along paths, in fallow gardens, locally vegetation-forming, choking out other vegetation and preventing regeneration, it can form dense mats, the new shoots growing over the dead, old ones, which are then fire-prone, (0–) 460–2745 m altitude.

Uses — Grown for coarse lawns, pastures (nutritious fod- der), and soil binding. Propagated from runners, once estab- lished difficult to eradicate! Therefore in the USA listed as a Federal Noxious Weed. In Africa the whole plant or bruised leaves are used as a styptic.

Vernacular name — Kikuyu grass.