Poaceae

Cenchrus purpureus

Common Names: Elephant grass.

Plant Form: Very large tufted grass. Size: Up to 7.5 m tall. Stem: Upright, somewhat hairy, robust, up to 3 cm thick. Branching towards top. Can form roots at nodes if they topple over. Leaves: Alternately arranged, very long blades 20-120 cm long. Hairless except for some hair underneath. With prominent white midrib and a hairy sheath that joins to stem. Flowers: Elongated spike 8-30 cm long which is greenish, yellowish or purplish. With 1-5 spikelets on each branch surrounded by bristles. Fruit and Seeds: Spikelets turn brown and fall, releasing oval or egg-shaped seed. Habitat: Riparian areas, roadsides, pastures, grasslands, woodlands, waste areas. Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from other Buffel or Missiongrasses (Cenchrus species) mainly by sheer size.