Cenchrus L., Sp. Pl.: 1049. 1753

Wessapak, Paweena, Ngernsaengsaruay, Chatchai & Duangjai, Suthee, 2023, A taxonomic revision of Cenchrus L. (Poaceae) in Thailand, with lectotypification of Pennisetum macrostachyum Benth., PhytoKeys 234, pp. 1-33 : 1

Cenchrus L., Sp. Pl.: 1049. 1753

Pennisetum Rich. in Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 72. 1805. Type species: Pennisetum typhoideum Rich.

Odontelytrum Hack., Oesterr. Bot. Z. 48: 86. 1898. Type species: Odontelytrum abyssinicum Hack.

Snowdenia C. E. Hubb., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1929: 30. 1929. Type species: Snowdenia microcarpha C. E. Hubb.

Kikuyuochloa H. Scholz. Feddes Repert. 117: 513. 2006. Type species: Kikuyuochloa clandestina (Hochst. ex Chiov.) H. Scholz (Basionym: Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov.)

Type species.

Cenchrus echinatus L.

Description.

Annual or perennial, tufted. Culms geniculate ascending or prostrate. Leaf sheaths with or without keeled conspicuous, margins hyaline or hairy. Ligules ciliolate membrane, ciliolate rim or a fringe of hairs. Leaf blades linear, margins scabrous, usually chartaceous. Inflorescence spiciform panicle, usually cylindrical; racemes very short or false spike. Spikelets 1-8 in cluster, subtended by involucre of bristles and spines, these free at base to forming a cup and burr-like, filiform, terete or flattened, spikelet dorsally compressed; sessile or pedicelled. Lower glume shorter than spikelet or absent. Florets 2. Lower floret male or sterile. Lower lemma variable. Upper floret bisexual. Lodicules present or absent.

A genus of approximately 107 pantropical species, seven species were introduced in Thailand and have become naturalised in the country (the taxonomic treatments and a key to the species excluding the species were introduced so as to be useful in Thailand, but were not found or recorded in their natural habitat).