buffelgrass (Flora and Fauna of the Rio Grande Valley)

buffelgrass

Cenchrus ciliaris

Summary ⁷

Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel-grass or African foxtail grass; syn. Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link) is a species of grass native to most of Africa, southern Asia (east to India), southern Iran, and the extreme south of Europe (Sicily). Other names by which this grass is known include dhaman grass, anjan grass and koluk katai.

Taxon biology ⁸

Pennisetum ciliare

African Foxtail grass

Location: Southern Arizona and most of Sonora

Elevation: Sea Level to 4150 ft

Description: Buffelgrass is 1.5 feet tall and up to 3 feet tall. Buffelgrass is a threat and grows densely, competing for water with native plants that are around the same size. Buffelgrass is a major seed producer and the seeds spread and grow rapidly. Buffelgrass is a drought-tolerant perennial. This is primarily warm-season grass and is invasive to Arizona . Its origins are native to Africa, Middle East, Indonesia and nearby islands of Indonesia, as well as, tropical Asia. It was brought to the US in the 1930 for livestock feed.