Cenchrus echinatus

Veldkamp, J. F., 2014, A revision of Cenchrus incl. Pennisetum (Gramineae) in Malesia with some general nomenclatural notes, Blumea 59 (1), pp. 59-75 : 67-68

7. Cenchrus echinatus L.

Cenchrus echinatus L. (1753) 1050; Cav. (1799b) 39, t. 462. — Lectotype: Herb. Van Royen s.n. (holo L, sh. 912.356-116; microfiche IDC BT-341 ), designated by Veldkamp (1993).

Cenchrus echinatus L. var. glabratus F.Br. (1931) 66. — Lectotype: F. Brown 745 (holo BISH), designated by St. John (1976).

Annuals. Culms 0.15–0.6(–1) m long,erect to geniculate at base, rooting in the decumbent nodes (sometimes). Ligule 0.7–1.7 mm long. Leaf blades 4–26(–35) cm by 3.5–8(–12) mm. Inflorescence 3–7(–10) cm long. Common axis scaberulous, internodes 2–3 mm long. Stipe 1–3 by 2.2–3.6 mm, base obconical, pubescent. Burs loosely spaced, 4–7(–10) by 3.5–6 mm, becoming purple. Outer main bristles shorter than the inner spines, retrorsely barbed. Inner spines c. 10, connate for more than halfway above the base, forming a closed bur, flat, erect to sometimes interlocking, subequal, puberulous, margins densely pilose. Spikelets (1–)2–4(–6) per bur, 5–7 mm long. Lower glume present, 1.3–3.4 mm long, 1-nerved; upper glume 3.8–5.7 mm long, 3–5-nerved. First lemma paleate, sterile, 4.5–6.4 mm long, 3–5-nerved. Second lemma 4.7–7 mm long. Anthers 0.8–2.4 mm long. 2n = 34, 68, also 70.

Distribution — Warmer regions of the New World, introduced elsewhere, e.g. Malesia: Malay Pen. (Selangor), Singapore, Lesser Sunda Isl. (Bali), Borneo ( Brunei, E Kalimantan), Philippines (Cebu, Luzon, Palawan, Samar), Papua New Guinea (Central, Gulf, Morobe, New Ireland Prov., Manus Isl.), Ashmore Reef, N Australia, Polynesia (Carolines to Easter Island).

Habitat — Waste places, beaches, roadsides, fields, grassy slopes, Melaleuca savannah, 0–2000 m altitude.

Vernacular names — Hedgehog grass, Southern sandbur.