Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Paniceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Cenchrus ciliaris L.
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
buffelgrass
Primary Disseminule Type
spikelet(s) subtended by involucre of bristles
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Disseminule is a fascicle consisting of a deciduous cluster of 1–4 spikelets subtended by a persistent involucre of bristles in two whorls plus one conspicuously longer bristle. Bristles numerous, 8–16 mm long, wiry, wavy, antrorsely barbed, ciliate, inner whorl bristles longer and thicker than outer whorl, the primary bristle 10.5–23 mm long, somewhat flattened, at least on lower part.
Spikelet lanceolate, dorsally compressed, 2–5.5 mm long, consisting of a basal sterile floret (sterile lemma without significant palea), a fertile floret, and no rachilla.
Glumes similar, shorter than spikelet, thinner than fertile lemma, without keels or awns. Lower glume ovate, 0.2–0.5 length of spikelet (1–3 mm long), 1-veined with lateral veins absent, hyaline, apex acute. Upper glume ovate, 0.4–1 length of spikelet (1.3–3.4 mm long), hyaline, 1–3-veined, apex acute.
Sterile lemma ovate, same length as fertile lemma, membranous, 3–7-veined, apex acute, mucronate.
Fertile lemma ovate, dorsally compressed, lanceolate in profile, 2–5.5 mm long, chartaceous, pallid, without keel, 3–6-veined, margins glabrous and covering most of palea, apex acute, mucronate.
Fertile palea ovate, same length as lemma, chartaceous, 2-veined, apex acute.
Caryopsis obovoid, dorsally compressed, 1–1.9 mm long x 0.4–1 mm wide, brown, glabrous, apex truncate or obtuse.
Similar Species
Similar Species Comparison Chart
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZWP, NZBORIC, NZBPI