Cenchrus prieurii

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

An annual grass. It grows 12-35 cm high. The leaf blades are 5-7 cm long by 4-5 mm wide. The flower panicle is a cylinder shape and 5-9 cm long.

There are about 23 Cenchrus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in semi-desert regions. It cannot tolerate frost. It can grow in dry, alkaline, sandy soils. It can grow in soils with a pH 7.7-7.9. It cannot tolerate salt. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Arabia, Asia, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Chad, East Africa, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Middle East, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Pakistan, Sahel, SE Asia, Senegal, Sudan, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten raw and also mixed with millet (bajra) for making bread. It is used in kreb a grain mixture eaten in Chad.

It is a famine food. It is important for nomads in Niger.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ascanit abu-souf, Cram-cram, Dhamnio, Heskanit, Lambio-bhurat

Synonyms

Cenchrus macrostachyus Hochst. ex Steud.; Pennisetum brevifolium Steud.; Pennisetum prieurii Kunth;