Buffelgrass

Cenchrus ciliaris

Native to:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Caprivi Strip, Chad, Djibouti, DR Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Gulf States, India, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sicilia, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Cenchrus
Species:
Cenchrus ciliaris
USDA Symbol:
PECI

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
150 cm
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
Bloom Colors:
green, purple

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire. Fire removes accumulated dead material and stimulates new growth.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate readily with warm temperatures (25-35°C). Light may improve germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI