Sandbur grass
Cenchrus biflorus

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

An annual grass. It grows 10-60 cm high. It forms tufts. It has runners, The leaves are alternate and simple. They are 2-25 cm long and 2-7 cm wide. The flowers are green. They are in a spike like panicle. This is 2-15 cm long and has 1-3 spikelets.

There are about 23 Cenchrus species. They are in the tropical to warm temperate regions. Chemical composition (Sudan sample): Sulphur = 0.20% (dry). Potassium = 0.18% - Magnesium = 0.7% (dry). Calcium = 0.07% (dry). Na = 0.01% (dry). K = 0.17% (dry). Zinc = 52 mg/kg-1 (dry). Iron = 71 mg/kg-1 (dry). Manganese = 22 mg/kg-1 (dry). Copper = 5 mg/kg-1 (dry). Aluminium = 124 mg/kg-1 (dry). Fatty acids (saturated): 14:0 = <0.1g/100g-1. 16:0 = 23.8. 18:0 = 4.0. 22:0 = <0.1g/100g-1. 24:0 = <0.1g/100g-1; (monosaturated): 16:1 = 3.0. 18:1 = 30.2. 20.1 = <0.1g/100g-1; (polyunsaturated): 18.2 = 35.7. 18:3 = 1.9.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on sand dunes and sandy plains. It is collected in the Sahel. It suits areas with 260-650 mm annual rainfall. It cannot tolerate frost. It can grow in salty or alkaline soils. It grows from sea level to 1,300 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Algeria, Angola, Arabia, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, Congo, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Pakistan, Sahel, Sahara, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, USA, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Seeds are eaten raw, used in bread or for making porridge. It is also used to make a drink as a milk substitute.

It is a dietary staple amongst nomads in the Sahel. It is commonly used in Mali.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed. Seed germinate best at 35°C.

The seeds fall from the plant and are swept up. They are pounded in a mortar then winnowed in the wind.

Its other names

Local names

Ascanit abou choc, Ascanit abu shock, Askanit, Bhurat Bhurat, Bur grass, Cacam, Cram-cram, Dani, Gallon’s Curse, Haskaneet khishin, Haskaneet, Indian sandbur, K'arangiya, Kangamba, Kanyata, Kram kram, Ngibbi, Nogo, Quebe, Spiny cram-cram'

Synonyms

Cenchrus barbatus Schumach.; Cenchrus catharticus Delile; Cenchrus catharticus Schltdl.; Cenchrus setigerus Vahl.;