Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.) Morrone in Chemisquy et al., Ann. Bot. 106: 129 (2010)
Synonymy:
  • Phalaris setacea Forssk., Fl. Aegypt.-Arab. 17 (1775)
  • Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. (1923)
 Description

Thickly tufted perennials, to 100 cm, light green at base with narrow, inrolled leaves; branching intravaginal. Leaf-sheath rounded, or slightly keeled above, subcoriaceous, margins long-ciliate. Ligule 0.3–0.7 mm, a membranous densely ciliate rim. Collar hairs to 2.5 mm. Leaf-blade 15–30 cm × 0.5–1.5 mm, rather stiff, folded or ± involute, long-tapering, adaxially very scabrid; margins very scabrid, with a few scattered long hairs, tip filiform, acute. Culm 30–45 cm, erect, internodes with many, fine, finely scabrid ridges. Panicle 8.5–20 cm, narrow-cylindric, ± dense, spike-like, often tinged reddish purple; rachis hairs short, soft. Spikelets 5–6–(6.5) mm, lanceolate, acute, pale green to purple, solitary or in clusters of 2–3 on ciliate pedicels to 3 mm; involucre of numerous, plumose, fine, unequal bristles (15–25 mm), one longer, though not stouter bristle (to 35 mm). Lower glume a hyaline scale to 1 mm, or 0, upper 2–2.5 mm, 1-nerved, hyaline, minutely scabrid. Lower floret Ø or ♂: lemma 4.5–5 mm, 3–(5)-nerved, membranous, nerves minutely scaberulous near tip; palea ≈ lemma, hyaline, rounded, keeled near tip, minutely scaberulous, or palea 0; anthers 2–3 mm, or 0. Upper floret ☿: lemma 5.5–6 mm, 5-nerved, membranous, nerves scaberulous near mucronate tip; palea 4.5–5 mm, hyaline, keels scarcely scaberulous near tip; lodicules 0.3–0.4 mm; anthers 2–3 mm; styles connate, stigmas free; caryopsis c. 3 × 1.2 mm.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 as Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/ [as Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov.]
Biosecurity New Zealand 4 Aug 2011: Unwanted Organisms Register. http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/registers/uor [as Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov.]
Chemisquy, M.A.; Giussani, L.M.; Scataglini, M.A.; Kellogg, E.A.; Morrone, O. 2010: Phylogenetic studies favour the unification of Pennisetum, Cenchrus and Odontelytrum (Poaceae): a combined nuclear, plastid and morphological analysis, and nomenclatural combinations in Cenchrus. Annals of Botany 106: 107–130.
Forsskål, P. 1775: Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica. Möller, Copenhagen.