Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.) 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

15. Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.) Morrone

Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.) Morrone in Chemisquy et al. (2010) 129. — Phalaris setacea Forssk. (1775) 17. — Pennisetum phalaroideum Schult. (1824) 147, nom. superfl. — Pennisetum setaceum Chiov. (1923) 113. — Type: Forsskåhl 117 (holo C, IDC microfiche 2200; BM, LD).

Pennisetum macrostachyon Fresen. (1836) 135, non P. macrostachyum Trin. (1834) . — Pennisetum ruppelii Steud. (1841) 298. — Pennisetum ruppelianum Hochst. ex Penz. (1893) 366 (‘ rueppellianum ’). — Type: Rüppel s.n. (holo FR).

Pennisetum orientale auct. non Rich.

Perennials. Culms erect to geniculate at base, not rooting in the decumbent nodes, not stoloniferous, rhizomatous, 0.25–1.25 m long, nodes glabrous. Ligule a setose rim, c. 0.15 mm long, setae c. 0.75 mm long. Blades involute, 30–100 cm by 1–3.7 mm, margins scaberulous. Peduncle glabrous below the panicle. Panicle exserted, many-spikeled, 10–26 cm long, common axis pubescent. Involucre stipitate, disarticulating at base. Stipe pubescent, 1–3 mm long. Bristles many, rather stiff, pilose (some outer ones excepted), a few distinctly longer than the others, 15–27 mm long, longest bristle 17–42 mm long. Spikelets 1–3 within the involucre (the basal one bisexual, the others male), sessile (the basal one) or pedicelled (the others), 4.7–6.8 mm long. Lower glume absent to obsolete, rarely to c. 0.3 times as long as the upper; upper glume 1–3.5(–5.25) mm long, 0–1-nerved. First lemma epaleate (rarely paleate, male), acuminate to aristate, membranous, 3–5-nerved, glabrous, nerves scaberulous; second lemma 4.7–6.8 mm long, acuminate to aristate, membranous.Anthers 2.6–3.7 mm long, apex glabrous. 2n = 9, 17.

Distribution — N and E Africa, Near East, cultivated elsewhere and escaping, Malesia: Singapore, Java (Priangan,Tengger: none in L).

Habitat — Stony slopes, roadsides, c. 600 m altitude in Java, 300–1600 m in Africa.

Uses — Cultivated as P. ‘ rueppellii ’ for its inflorescences. Not very suitable as a fodder because of the harshness of the foliage. An invasive weed in many places in the (sub)tropics.

Vernacular name — (Tender) Fountain grass.

Notes — Occasionally the rachilla is prolonged beyond the second lemma, an exceptional occurrence in the Paniceae .

Similar to P. alopecuroides :

–. Ligular setae 1.9–3.4 mm long. Blade margins smooth. Peduncle puberulous to pilose below the panicle. Involucral stipe glabrous; bristles scaberulous, unequal. Lower glume well-developed, 0.5–2 mm long....... C. alopecuroides

–. Ligular setae c. 0.75 mm long. Blade margins scaberulous. Peduncle glabrous below the panicle. Involucral stipe pubescent; bristles pilose (some outer ones excepted), a few distinctly longer than the others. Lower glume absent to obsolete.............................. C. setaceus