Home PagePicture ArchivesFlora of QatarPoaceaeCenchrus pennisetiformis

Cenchrus pennisetiformis Steud.

Synonyms

Cenchrus aequiglumis, Cenchrus ciliaris, Cenchrus digynus, Cenchrus echinoides, Cenchrus lappaceus, Cenchrus rigidifolius, Pennisetum cenchroides, Pennisetum ciliare, Pennisetum pennisetiforme

Common names

African foxtail grass, lidder, sabaT, slender buffel grass

Extract from Wikipedia article

Cenchrus pennisetiformis, commonly known in Australia as the Cloncurry, white or slender buffel grass, is a species of grass in the genus Cenchrus. It is native to parts of East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent, and has been introduced to some other parts of the world as a drought-tolerant forage crop.

AI-generated Description

Cenchrus pennisetiformis is a grass species found in tropical and subtropical regions. In Qatar, it has been identified as an introduced or naturalized species, often growing in disturbed areas, roadsides, and waste grounds. Local studies have reported its presence in various parts of the country, including Doha and the northern regions. The plant's adaptability to arid environments and ability to thrive in poor soil conditions make it a common sight in Qatar's urban and natural landscapes.

African foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on the border of Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. South-western Qatar, March 29, 2014
LinkAfrican foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on the border of Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. South-western Qatar, March 29, 2014
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on Al Sham Street in area of West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2014
LinkBuffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on Al Sham Street in area of West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2014
Location on mapsAl Sham Street, Doha, Qatar
Soft spike of buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on Al Sham Street in area of West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2014
LinkSoft spike of buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on Al Sham Street in area of West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2014
Location on mapsAl Sham Street, Doha, Qatar
Close up of a soft spike of buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on Al Sham Street in area of West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2014
LinkClose up of a soft spike of buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on Al Sham Street in area of West Bay. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2014
Location on mapsAl Sham Street, Doha, Qatar
Buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on Al Muhandiseen Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 6, 2014
LinkBuffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on Al Muhandiseen Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 6, 2014
Spikelet of Buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on Al Muhandiseen Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 6, 2014
LinkSpikelet of Buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on Al Muhandiseen Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 6, 2014
Buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) at entrance of Ras Abrouq Peninsula near Zekreet. Qatar, November 14, 2014
LinkBuffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) at entrance of Ras Abrouq Peninsula near Zekreet. Qatar, November 14, 2014
Location on mapsDukhan Highway, Qatar
Buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, March 13, 2015
LinkBuffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, March 13, 2015
Location on mapsAl Furqan Street, Doha, Qatar
Buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) with a stone fence background in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, March 13, 2015
LinkBuffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) with a stone fence background in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, March 13, 2015
Location on mapsAl Furqan Street, Doha, Qatar
Buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) taken from Onaiza area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2015
LinkBuffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) taken from Onaiza area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2015
Spikelet of buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) taken from Onaiza area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2015
LinkSpikelet of buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) taken from Onaiza area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2015
Buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on roadside of Dukhan Highway near Al Shakhaniya. Qatar, January 15, 2016
LinkBuffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) on roadside of Dukhan Highway near Al Shakhaniya. Qatar, January 15, 2016
Location on mapsDukhan Hwy, Qatar
African foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in a runnel north from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkAfrican foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in a runnel north from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Spike of African foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in a runnel north from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkSpike of African foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in a runnel north from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Young spike of African foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in a runnel north from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkYoung spike of African foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in a runnel north from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Close up of a spike of African foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in a runnel north from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkClose up of a spike of African foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in a runnel north from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
African foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in a runnel north from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
LinkAfrican foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis) in a runnel north from Dukhan. Qatar, February 20, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
African foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis)(?) taken from Makkah Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, March 15, 2016
LinkAfrican foxtail grass (buffelgrass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis)(?) taken from Makkah Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, March 15, 2016
Buffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis)(?) on a rocky ridge in Jabal Al Jassasiya, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, March 26, 2016
LinkBuffelgrass (African foxtail grass, Cenchrus pennisetiformis)(?) on a rocky ridge in Jabal Al Jassasiya, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, March 26, 2016
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar

AI-generated summary of observations

Cenchrus pennisetiformis was observed in various locations in Qatar, including Irkhaya Farms, West Bay, Al Luqta area, and Ras Abrouq Peninsula. The plant was found growing on the border of Green Circles, on streets, and in runnels. Observations were made from March 2014 to March 2016, with notes on the plant's soft spikes, spikelets, and young growth. The grass was also seen growing near stone fences and on rocky ridges. Locations included Doha, Al Sham Street, Al Muhandiseen Street, and Dukhan Highway. The observations highlight the plant's presence in different environments and its ability to grow in various conditions in Qatar. The plant was identified as African foxtail grass or buffelgrass, with some observations noting the species with uncertainty, indicated by a question mark.

Links

Outside links

How the web page was created

Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.