Cenchrus pedicellatus

Species category

Weed

Common name

annual kyasuwa grass, deenanth grass, hairy fountain grass, kyasuwa grass

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

FloretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.

Shape

Lanceolate

Size

  • Length: 2–2.5 mm
  • Width: 0.8–1 mm
  • Thickness: 0.5–0.8 mm

Color

Light brown

Texture

Shiny and smooth

Lemma

Longitudinal veins visible. Surface is smooth.

Palea

Convex and shiny

Other structures

The caryopses have strong spatulate embryosEmbryo:
A rudimentary plant contained in a seed, usually consisting of a more or less differentiated axis and attached cotyledon(s).
over half their length.

Identification notes

Unconditioned seed may have feathery filaments attached to the callusCallus:
The hard base of grass florets or spikelets, just above the point of disarticulation.
.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Arizona 
Federal

Learn more on ITP's Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules tool.

AOSA examination list

Not included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet, Cenchrus spp.

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Cenchrus pedicellatus (Trin.) Morrone

Synonyms

Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin.

 Cenchrus pedicellatus.  Unconditioned seed that have feathery filaments attached to the callus. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Cenchrus pedicellatus. Unconditioned seed that have feathery filaments attached to the callus. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Cenchrus pedicellatus.  Shiny and smooth florets. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Cenchrus pedicellatus. Shiny and smooth florets. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Cenchrus pedicellatus.  Florets with caryopses that have strong spatulate embryos over half their length. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Cenchrus pedicellatus. Florets with caryopses that have strong spatulate embryos over half their length. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.