Poaceae

Cenchrus caudatus

Common Names: African feather grass Synonyms: Cenchrus macrourus

Plant Form: Tufted perennial grass. Size: Up to 2 m tall. Stem: Upright, cylindrical, sometimes hairy in lower parts. Leaves: Light green, ribbed blades up to 50 cm long, sometimes longer. Initially rolled inward but flattening with age. Darker green underside and occasionally with purplish edges and tips. Flowers: Dense cylindrical cluster 8-30 cm long containing hundreds of flower spikes. Pale brown to straw coloured with occasional purplish appearance. Fruit and Seeds: Spikelets 5-7 mm long surrounded by feather-like bristles. With yellow to brown seeds. Habitat: Grasslands, woodlands, river banks, waste areas. Distinguishing Features: Typically has shorter bristles on the spikelets than other Cenchrus species.