Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 30, 2026

Cenchrus setiger

Cenchrus setiger, the birdwood grass, is a species in the grass family Poaceae. It native to drier parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, India, and as far as Myanmar, and has been introduced to the United States, Brazil, and Australia. Drought-tolerant and quite palatable to livestock, it is a valuable fodder and forage in areas that get as little as 200 mm of rain per year, but its productivity is low.

Last revised
Jun 30, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
247 w
Citations
4
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Cenchrus setiger
Habit
Uprooted specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Cenchrus
Species:
C. setiger
Binomial name
Cenchrus setiger
Synonyms2
List
    • Cenchrus bulbifer Hochst. ex Boiss.
    • Cenchrus ciliaris var. setiger (Vahl) Maire & Weiller
    • Cenchrus montanus Nees ex Steud.
    • Cenchrus quinquevalvis Buch.-Ham. ex Wall.
    • Cenchrus schimperi Hochst. & Steud.
    • Cenchrus tripsacoides R.Br.
    • Cenchrus uniflorus Ehrenb. ex Boiss.
    • Pennisetum ciliare var. setigerum (Vahl) Leeke
    • Pennisetum setigerum (Vahl) Wipff
    • Pennisetum vahlii Kunth

Cenchrus setiger (syn. Pennisetum setigerum), the birdwood grass, is a species in the grass family Poaceae. It native to drier parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, India, and as far as Myanmar, and has been introduced to the United States, Brazil, and Australia.2 Drought-tolerant and quite palatable to livestock, it is a valuable fodder and forage in areas that get as little as 200 mm of rain per year, but its productivity is low.3

References

References

  1. Allen, R. (2018). "Cenchrus setiger". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018 e.T110680094A110680098. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T110680094A110680098.en. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  2. "Cenchrus setiger Vahl". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  3. Tran, G. (29 March 2016). "Birdwood grass (Cenchrus setiger)". Feedipedia – Animal Feed Resources Information System. Feedipedia, a programme by INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. Retrieved 8 April 2022. Common names; ... birdwood buffel, cow sandbur, South African pennisetum