Kikuyugrass
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
Pringle, Cyrus G. (Cyrus Guernsey), 1838-1911,Mohl, Hugo von, 1805-1872 Schlechtendal, D. F. L. von (Diederich Franz Leonhard), 1794-1866,Skutch, Alexander F.(Alexander Frank),1904-2004,author
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Cenchrus
- Species:
- Cenchrus ciliaris
- USDA Symbol:
- PEIN14
Growth Characteristics
- 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 can stimulate tillering and increase stand density.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily at warm temperatures (25-35°C). Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI