Cenchrus unisetus (Nees) 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 : 71

16. Cenchrus unisetus (Nees) Morrone

Cenchrus unisetus (Nees) Morrone in Chemisquy et al.(2010) 130. — Gymnotrix uniseta Nees (1841) 66. — Beckera dioica Nees (1842) 219, nom. superfl. — Beckera uniseta Hochst. (1844) 512. — Pennisetum unisetum Benth. (1881) 47. — Beckeropsis uniseta K.Schum. [in Engl. (July 1895 a) 52, ibid. C (Aug. 1895 b) 105, comb. inval.] ex Stapf & Hubb. (1933) 269. — Type: Drège 4334 (holo B; K, L, S).

Perennials. Culms erect, not stoloniferous,rhizomatous, 0.5–4 m long, nodes glabrous. Ligule a setose collar, 0.7–1 mm long, setae c. 0.8 mm long. Blades flat, 15–29 cm by 5–30 mm, margins scaberulous. Peduncle scabrous below the panicle. Panicle exserted, many-spikeled, 2–4.5 cm long, common axis scabrous. Involucre not stipitate, disarticulating at base. Bristles 1, rather stiff, smooth, 7–40 mm long. Spikelets 1 within the involucre,sessile, 2.5–3 mm long. Lower glume 0.2–0.5 mm long, 0.4–0.62 times as long as the upper glume; upper glume 0.5– 0.8 mm long, 0-nerved. First lemma epaleate, acute, membranous, 5-nerved, glabrous, nerves smooth; second lemma 2.5–3 mm long, acuminate, membranous. Anthers 1.5–1.8 mm long, apex glabrous. 2n = 18.

Distribution — South to tropical Africa, introduced elsewhere, e.g. in Malesia: Papua New Guinea (E Highlands, Aiyura).

Habitat — Shaded woodlands and moist places, at c. 1675 m altitude in Papua New Guinea.

Uses — A high-yielding pasture grass when young, with- standing mowing and cutting. A decoction with ginger may be used for sore throat and tonsillitis. A famine cereal, and a base for beer.

Vernacular names — Duncan, Natal, or Silky grass.