Taxon: Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.) Morrone

Summary

Genus:

Cenchrus

Family:

Poaceae (alt. Gramineae)

Subfamily:

Panicoideae

Tribe:

Paniceae

Subtribe:

Cenchrinae

Nomen number:

464280

Place of publication:

Ann. Bot. (Oxford) ser. 2, 106:129. 2010

Verified:

01/17/2012 ARS Systematic Botanists.

Accessions:

17 (12 active, 11 available) in National Plant Germplasm System. (Map it)

Other conspecific taxa

Autonyms (not in current use), synonyms and invalid designations

Basionym
Phalaris setacea Forssk.

Heterotypic Synonym(s)
Cenchrus asperifolius Desf.
Pennisetum rueppelianum hort. ex Mez
Pennisetum ruppelii Steud.
Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov.

Invalid Designation(s)
Pennisetum asperifolium auct.

No images

Conservation Status

Reference(s)

Catalogue of New World grasses (Poaceae) (on-line resource).
University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
Ali, S. I. & S. M. H. Jafri, eds. 1976-. Flora of Libya. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
APHIS. Agricultural Risk Management System United States Department of Agriculture.
Boulos, L. 1995. Flora of Egypt checklist.
Chemisquy, M. A. et al. 2010. Phylogenetic studies favour the unification of Pennisetum, Cenchrus and Odontelytrum (Poaceae): a combined nuclear, plastid and morphological analysis, and nomenclatural combinations in Cenchrus. Ann. Bot. (Oxford) 106:107-130.
Dujardin, M. & W. W. Hanna. 1989. Crossability of Pearl Millet with wild Pennisetum species. Crop Sci. (Madison) 29:77-80. Note: = Pennisetum setaceum
Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
Exell, A. W. et al., eds. 1960-. Flora zambesiaca.
Ferrer-Gallego, P. P. & F. Boisset. 2015. Lectotypification of the fountain grass Cenchrus setaceus (Poaceae: Paniceae). Phytotaxa 218:171-176.
Ghazanfar, S. A. 1992. An annotated catalogue of the vascular plants of Oman. Scripta Botanica Belgica 2 Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Meyer, M. H. 2012. Chapter 3. Ornamental grasses in the United States. Hort. Rev. 39:121-152. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Quézel, P. & S. Santa. 1962-1963. Nouvelle flore de l'Algerie. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Veldkamp, J. F. 2014. A revision of Cenchrus incl. Pennisetum (Gramineae) in Malesia with some general nomenclatural notes. Blumea 59:59-75. DOI: 10.3767/000651914X684376.
Verloove, F. 2012. New combinations in Cenchrus (Paniceae, Poaceae) in Europe and the Mediterranean area. Willdenowia 42:77-78.
Weber, E. 2003. Invasive plant species of the world: a reference guide to environmental weeds Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
Wood, J. R. I. 1997. A handbook of the Yemen flora.
2018. Mid-Atlantic invasive plant species (on-line resource)

Common names

Language	Name	seq	Citation
English	fountain grass	1	Wiersema, J. H. & B. León. 1999. World economic plants: a standard reference CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
English	tender fountain grass	1	Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
Afrikaans	pronkgras	2	Henderson, L. 2001. Alien weeds and invasive plants: a complete guide to declared weeds and invaders in South Africa. Plant Protection Research Institute, Handbook 12
German	afrikanisches Lampenputzergras	2	Erhardt, W. et al. 2008. Der große Zander: Enzyklopädie der Pflanzennamen
German	einjähriges Lampenputzergras	2	Erhardt, W. et al. 2008. Der große Zander: Enzyklopädie der Pflanzennamen
Swedish	fjäderborstgräs	2	Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson. 2012. Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource)

Distribution

order_code	Status	Continent	Subcontinent	Country	State	Note	Reference
1	Native	Africa	East Tropical Africa	Kenya			Turrill, W. B. et al., eds. 1952-. Flora of tropical East Africa.
1	Native	Africa	East Tropical Africa	Tanzania			Turrill, W. B. et al., eds. 1952-. Flora of tropical East Africa.
1	Native	Africa	Northeast Tropical Africa	Eritrea			Hedberg, I. & S. Edwards. 1989-. Flora of Ethiopia Note: Eritrea added in 2000
1	Native	Africa	Northeast Tropical Africa	Ethiopia			Hedberg, I. & S. Edwards. 1989-. Flora of Ethiopia Note: Eritrea added in 2000
1	Native	Africa	Northeast Tropical Africa	Somalia			Thulin, M., ed. 1993-. Flora of Somalia.
1	Native	Africa	Northeast Tropical Africa	Sudan			Hedberg, I. & S. Edwards. 1989-. Flora of Ethiopia Note: Eritrea added in 2000
1	Native	Africa	Northern Africa	Algeria			Quézel, P. & S. Santa. 1962-1963. Nouvelle flore de l'Algerie. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
1	Native	Africa	Northern Africa	Egypt			Boulos, L. 1995. Flora of Egypt checklist.
1	Native	Africa	Northern Africa	Libya			Ali, S. I. & S. M. H. Jafri, eds. 1976-. Flora of Libya. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
1	Native	Africa	Northern Africa	Morocco			Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
1	Native	Africa	Northern Africa	Tunisia			Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
1	Native	Africa	South Tropical Africa	Zambia			Exell, A. W. et al., eds. 1960-. Flora zambesiaca.
1	Native	Africa	South Tropical Africa	Zimbabwe			Exell, A. W. et al., eds. 1960-. Flora zambesiaca.
1	Native	Asia-Temperate	Arabian Peninsula	Oman			Ghazanfar, S. A. 1992. An annotated catalogue of the vascular plants of Oman. Scripta Botanica Belgica 2 Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
1	Native	Asia-Temperate	Arabian Peninsula	Saudi Arabia			Migahid, A. M. 1988-1990. Flora of Saudi Arabia, ed. 3.
1	Native	Asia-Temperate	Arabian Peninsula	Yemen			Wood, J. R. I. 1997. A handbook of the Yemen flora.
1	Native	Asia-Temperate	Western Asia	Egypt	Sinai		Boulos, L. 1995. Flora of Egypt checklist.
1	Native	Asia-Temperate	Western Asia	Israel			Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
1	Native	Asia-Temperate	Western Asia	Jordan			Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
1	Native	Asia-Temperate	Western Asia	Lebanon			Mouterde, P. 1966-. Nouvelle flore du Liban et de la Syrie.
1	Native	Asia-Temperate	Western Asia	Syria			Mouterde, P. 1966-. Nouvelle flore du Liban et de la Syrie.
1	Native	Europe	Southeastern Europe	Italy	Sicilia		Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
2	Cultivated	Northern America		United States			Meyer, M. H. 2012. Chapter 3. Ornamental grasses in the United States. Hort. Rev. 39:121-152. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
4	Naturalized	Africa	Macaronesia	Spain	Canarias		Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
4	Naturalized	Africa	Southern Africa	Namibia			Germishuizen, G. & N. L. Meyer, eds. 2003. Plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14 National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.
4	Naturalized	Africa	Southern Africa	South Africa			Germishuizen, G. & N. L. Meyer, eds. 2003. Plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14 National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.
4	Naturalized	Australasia	Australia	Australia	New South Wales		George, A. S., ed. 1980-. Flora of Australia.
4	Naturalized	Australasia	Australia	Australia	Queensland		George, A. S., ed. 1980-. Flora of Australia.
4	Naturalized	Australasia	Australia	Australia	South Australia		George, A. S., ed. 1980-. Flora of Australia.
4	Naturalized	Australasia	Australia	Australia	Victoria		George, A. S., ed. 1980-. Flora of Australia.
4	Naturalized	Australasia	Australia	Australia	Western Australia		George, A. S., ed. 1980-. Flora of Australia.
4	Naturalized	Australasia	New Zealand	New Zealand			Allan, H. H. B. et al. 1961-. Flora of New Zealand.
4	Naturalized	Europe	Southeastern Europe	Italy	Sardegna		Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
4	Naturalized	Europe	Southwestern Europe	Portugal			Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
4	Naturalized	Europe	Southwestern Europe	Spain			Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
4	Naturalized	Northern America	South-Central U.S.A.	United States	New Mexico	s.	Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
4	Naturalized	Northern America	South-Central U.S.A.	United States	Texas		Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
4	Naturalized	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Florida		Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
4	Naturalized	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Louisiana		Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
4	Naturalized	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Tennessee		Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
4	Naturalized	Northern America	Southwestern U.S.A.	United States	Arizona	s.	Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
4	Naturalized	Northern America	Southwestern U.S.A.	United States	California	s.	Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
4	Naturalized	Northern America	Southwestern U.S.A.	United States	Nevada	s.	Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
4	Naturalized	Pacific	North-Central Pacific	United States	Hawaii		Weber, E. 2003. Invasive plant species of the world: a reference guide to environmental weeds Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
4	Naturalized	Pacific	Northwestern Pacific	Micronesia			Weber, E. 2003. Invasive plant species of the world: a reference guide to environmental weeds Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
4	Naturalized	Pacific	Southwestern Pacific	Fiji			Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER): plant threats to Pacific ecosystems (on-line resource).
4	Naturalized	Pacific	Southwestern Pacific	New Caledonia			Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER): plant threats to Pacific ecosystems (on-line resource).

Native
Africa

NORTHERN AFRICA: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
NORTHEAST TROPICAL AFRICA: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia
EAST TROPICAL AFRICA: Kenya, Tanzania
SOUTH TROPICAL AFRICA: Zambia, Zimbabwe

Asia-Temperate

ARABIAN PENINSULA: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
WESTERN ASIA: Egypt [Sinai], Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria

Europe

SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE: Italy [Sicilia]

Cultivated
Northern America

REGION: United States

Naturalized
Africa

MACARONESIA: Spain [Canarias]
SOUTHERN AFRICA: Namibia, South Africa

Australasia

AUSTRALIA: Australia [New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia]
NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand

Europe

SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE: Italy [Sardegna]
SOUTHWESTERN EUROPE: Spain, Portugal

Northern America

SOUTHEASTERN U.S.A.: United States [Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee]
SOUTH-CENTRAL U.S.A.: United States [New Mexico (s.), Texas]
SOUTHWESTERN U.S.A.: United States [Arizona (s.), California (s.), Nevada (s.)]

Pacific

NORTH-CENTRAL PACIFIC: United States [Hawaii]
NORTHWESTERN PACIFIC: Micronesia
SOUTHWESTERN PACIFIC: Fiji, New Caledonia

Reference(s)

Ali, S. I. & S. M. H. Jafri, eds. 1976-. Flora of Libya. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Allan, H. H. B. et al. 1961-. Flora of New Zealand.
Boulos, L. 1995. Flora of Egypt checklist.
Euro+Med Editorial Committee. Euro+Med Plantbase: the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity (on-line resource).
Exell, A. W. et al., eds. 1960-. Flora zambesiaca.
George, A. S., ed. 1980-. Flora of Australia.
Germishuizen, G. & N. L. Meyer, eds. 2003. Plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14 National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.
Ghazanfar, S. A. 1992. An annotated catalogue of the vascular plants of Oman. Scripta Botanica Belgica 2 Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Hedberg, I. & S. Edwards. 1989-. Flora of Ethiopia Note: Eritrea added in 2000
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER): plant threats to Pacific ecosystems (on-line resource).
Meyer, M. H. 2012. Chapter 3. Ornamental grasses in the United States. Hort. Rev. 39:121-152. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Migahid, A. M. 1988-1990. Flora of Saudi Arabia, ed. 3.
Mouterde, P. 1966-. Nouvelle flore du Liban et de la Syrie.
Quézel, P. & S. Santa. 1962-1963. Nouvelle flore de l'Algerie. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Thulin, M., ed. 1993-. Flora of Somalia.
Turrill, W. B. et al., eds. 1952-. Flora of tropical East Africa.
Weber, E. 2003. Invasive plant species of the world: a reference guide to environmental weeds Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
Wood, J. R. I. 1997. A handbook of the Yemen flora.

Economic Uses

Usage	Type	Note	Reference
Environmental	ornamental		Tovar, Ó. 1993. Las gramíneas (Poaceae) del Perú. Ruizia 13:408.
Environmental	ornamental		Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
Environmental	ornamental		Weber, E. 2003. Invasive plant species of the world: a reference guide to environmental weeds Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Weed	seed contaminant	potential	CIBA-GEIGY, Basel, Switzerland. Documenta CIBA-GEIGY (Grass weeds 1. 1980, 2. 1981; Monocot weeds 3. 1982; Dicot weeds 1. 1988) Note: four books on weeds worldwide in scope
Weed	seed contaminant	potential	Wipff, J. K. 1993-. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America. Note: as Pennisetum setaceum- BetaFlora of North America accessed April 2021
Weed	seed contaminant	potential	Weber, E. 2003. Invasive plant species of the world: a reference guide to environmental weeds Note: as Pennisetum setaceum
Weed	seed contaminant	potential	Henderson, L. 2001. Alien weeds and invasive plants: a complete guide to declared weeds and invaders in South Africa. Plant Protection Research Institute, Handbook 12

Cite as: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2026. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: https://npgstest.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=464280. Accessed 15 April 2026.