View source for Cenchrus ciliaris

{{Short description|Species of grass}}
{{redirect-distinguish|Buffel grass|Buffalo grass}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Cenchrus ciliaris.jpg
|genus = Cenchrus
|species = ciliaris
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Allen, R. |date=2017 |title=''Cenchrus ciliaris'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T13490705A13490709 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T13490705A13490709.en |access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref>
|authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
|synonyms = *''Pennisetum ciliare'' {{au|(L.) Link}}
*''Pennisetum cenchroides'' Rich.
}}

'''''Cenchrus ciliaris''''' ('''buffel-grass'''<ref name=BSBI07>{{BSBI 2007 |access-date=2014-10-17}}</ref> or '''African foxtail grass'''; [[synonym (taxonomy)|syn.]] ''Pennisetum ciliare'' (L.) Link) is a species of [[Poaceae|grass]] native to most of [[Africa]], southern [[Asia]] (east to [[India]]), southern [[Iran]], and the extreme south of [[Europe]] ([[Sicily]]).<ref name=grin>{{GRIN | access-date = 22 December 2017}}</ref> Other names by which this grass is known include '''dhaman grass''', '''anjan grass''' and '''koluk katai'''.<ref name=FAO>{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/Gbase/data/Pf000196.HTM |title=''Cenchrus ciliaris'' L. |work=Grassland species: Profiles |publisher=FAO |access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.desertmuseum.org/invaders/invaders_buffelgrass.php|title=Buffelgrass|website=www.desertmuseum.org|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref>

==Description==
African foxtail grass is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] grass growing to {{convert|20|to|120|cm|in|-1|abbr=on}} tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are linear, {{convert|3|to|25|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|4|to|10|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} wide. The [[flower]]s are produced in a [[panicle]] {{convert|2|to|14|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1|to|2.6|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name=kew>{{GrassBase | name = ''Cenchrus ciliaris'' | id = imp02040}}</ref>

==Distribution==
African foxtail grass is native to tropical Africa, the Mediterranean region and the hotter and drier parts of Asia. It is a deep-rooted grass, tolerates drought, and will grow at altitudes of up to {{convert|2000|m|ft|-2|abbr=on}}. It is considered a good forage grass in Africa. It prefers light soils with a high phosphorus content. As a key species for [[pastoralism]], Cenchrus ciliaris is projected, in one simulation, to expand its overall range in East Africa under a high-emission scenario ([[Representative_Concentration_Pathway|RCP]] 8.5) in the future.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Messmer |first=Martina |last2=Eckert |first2=Sandra |last3=Torre-Marin Rando |first3=Amor |last4=Snethlage |first4=Mark |last5=González-Rojí |first5=Santos J. |last6=Hurni |first6=Kaspar |last7=Beyerle |first7=Urs |last8=Hemp |first8=Andreas |last9=Kibet |first9=Staline |last10=Stocker |first10=Thomas F. |date=2024-10-17 |title=Major distribution shifts are projected for key rangeland grasses under a high-emission scenario in East Africa at the end of the 21st century |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01731-x |journal=Communications Earth & Environment |language=en |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=1–12 |doi=10.1038/s43247-024-01731-x |issn=2662-4435 |pmc=11486655 |pmid=39430422}}</ref>

It is also sown in [[Queensland, Australia]] and elsewhere for grazing, hay and [[silage]].<ref name=FAO/> It was introduced to the [[Sonoran Desert]] for erosion control and to feed livestock. In the Mexican part of the Sonoran Desert, it is still being planted and irrigated for livestock grazing. ''Cenchrus ciliaris'' has become [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] and often an [[invasive species]] in [[Australia]], the southwestern [[United States]], [[Hawaii]], [[Mexico]], [[Central America]], [[South America]], and [[Macaronesia]].<ref name=grin/>

==As an invasive species==
It was introduced in the 1930s into Arizona, United States, to provide grazing. The introduction was largely unsuccessful but the grass began to appear as a weed beside highways and in cleared fields or over-grazed land. It can spread quickly and appears to increase the mortality of native plants, including grasses and even [[Parkinsonia|palo verdes]], by taking away nearby water. This plant has a very low ignition threshold and can burn even during the peak growing season. Its flammability (injurious to neighbors) and quick regrowth allow it to compete successfully against almost all vegetation in the [[Sonoran Desert]] region.<ref name=desert>Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: [http://www.desertmuseum.org/invaders/invaders_buffelgrass.htm Buffelgrass.]</ref>

Another problem of buffelgrass in the Sonoran Desert is that it intensifies [[wildfires]] such that [[saguaro cacti]] that normally survive wildfires can erupt into flames when growing in areas taken over by the grass.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Tony |date=2020-06-13 |title=Invasive buffelgrass may have helped Bighorn Fire take out saguaros |url=https://tucson.com/news/local/invasive-buffelgrass-may-have-helped-bighorn-fire-take-out-saguaros/article_35fe42e6-fa56-597e-ab6d-46ebe1c63ea4.html |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Arizona Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-02 |title=Invasive grass is overwhelming U.S. deserts—providing fuel for wildfires |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/volunteers-help-fight-invasive-buffelgrass-in-sonoran-desert-parks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302195507/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/volunteers-help-fight-invasive-buffelgrass-in-sonoran-desert-parks |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Travel |language=en}}</ref>

In [[Queensland]], Australia, the grass has also been attributed to causing a decline in the native grass species fed on by the critically endangered [[northern hairy-nosed wombat]],<ref>{{cite journal| last=Casey|first=Fiona |last2=Old|first2=Julie M. | last3=Stannard|first3=Hayley J. |title=Assessment of the diet of the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (''Lasiorhinus krefftii'') using DNA metabarcoding|journal=Ecology and Evolution |date=2023|volume=13 |doi=10.1002/ece3.10469|doi-access=free|pmc=10485309}}</ref> and cited as a factor in the wombats' decline.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2012-03-01|title=Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as an invader and threat to biodiversity in arid environments: A review|journal=Journal of Arid Environments|language=en|volume=78|pages=1–12|doi=10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.11.005|issn=0140-1963|last1=Marshall|first1=V.M.|last2=Lewis|first2=M.M.|last3=Ostendorf|first3=B.|bibcode=2012JArEn..78....1M|doi-access=free}}</ref> In [[South Australia]], it is a declared plant under the Natural Resources Management Act and weed management activities are guided by the South Australia Buffel Grass Strategic Plan (2012–17).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds_and_pest_animals/weeds_in_sa/weed_id/plant_id_notes/buffel_grass|title=Buffel Grass|date=13 February 2017|website=Primary Industries and Regions South Australia|publisher=Primary Industries and Regions South Australia|access-date=21 June 2017}}</ref> In Australia's [[Northern Territory]], invasive buffel grass is implicated in worsening wild fires and is declared a weed.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2019/02/11/west-macs-blaze-questions-and-sorrow/ | title=West MacDonnells blaze: Sorrow and questions - Alice Springs News | date=11 February 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2019/03/12/summer-bushfires-you-didnt-hear-about-and-invasive-species-fuelling-them-1|title=The summer bushfires you didn't hear about, and the invasive species fuelling them
|website=NITV|date=12 March 2019
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Allison |first=Charmayne |last2=Barwick |first2=Alex |date=2024-07-05 |title=Invasive buffel grass declared a weed in the Northern Territory |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-05/invasive-buffel-grass-declared-weed-in-northern-territory/104061496 |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Cenchrus ciliaris}}
* {{CalPhotos|Cenchrus|ciliaris}}
{{WestAfricanPlants|Cenchrus ciliaris}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2715047}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cenchrus|ciliaris]]
[[Category:Grasses of Africa]]
[[Category:Flora of North Africa]]
[[Category:Flora of Western Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Iran]]
[[Category:Flora of Morocco]]
[[Category:Grasses of India]]
[[Category:Grasses of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Flora of Sicily]]
[[Category:Forages]]
[[Category:Grasses of Lebanon]]