Cenchrus biflorus
(Indian sandbur)

Preferred Scientific Name

• Cenchrus biflorus Roxb.

Preferred Common Name

• Indian sandbur

Other Scientific Names

• Cenchrus annularis Andersson
• Cenchrus barbatus Schumach.
• Cenchrus catharticus Delile
• Cenchrus leptacanthus A.Camus
• Cenchrus niloticus Fig. & De Not.
• Cenchrus perinvolucratus Stapf & C.E.Hubb.
• Cenchrus rajasthanensis Kanodia & P.C.Nanda

International Common Names

• English: birdwood grass

Local Common Names

• Sahel: wezzeg
• Australia: gallon’s curse
• Brazil: capim-carrapicho
• France: cram-cram
• India: anjan grass; bhurat
• Namibia: kandjata; kangamba; rukwangali; thimbukushu
• Sudan: abu sha'ar; haskanit

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Plantae
•         Phylum: Spermatophyta
•             Subphylum: Angiospermae
•                 Class: Monocotyledonae
•                     Order: Cyperales
•                         Family: Poaceae
•                             Genus: Cenchrus
•                                 Species: Cenchrus biflorus

C. biflorus is one of around 25-35 species in the genus and belongs to the Poaceae family (Peerzada et al., 2016). It was named in 1820 and although a few synonyms have been applied and used since then, especially C. barbatus, there are none now in current use.

The genus name Cenchrus is derived from the Greek word ‘Kenchros’ which means millet and the name biflorus means two flowers (Peerzada et al., 2016).

C. biflorus is a loosely tufted, annual grass, with ascending stems (culms) up to 1 m tall. Leaves alternate, simple and entire; ligule a line of hairs; blade linear, flat, 2–25(–35) cm × 2–7(–10) mm, apex filiform. Inflorescence a spike-like panicle 2–15 cm × 9–12 mm, with 1–3 spikelets enclosed by an involucre of prickly bristles; rachis angular, sinuous; involucre ovoid, 4–11 mm long with numerous spines, inner spines erect, fused at base, retrorsely hairy on the pungent, recurving apex, outer spines shorter, spreading. Spikelet lanceolate 3.5–6 mm long, acute, consisting of two glumes and usually two florets; glumes shorter than spikelet; lower floret male or sterile, its lemma as long as spikelet, membranous, upper floret bisexual, its lemma as long as spikelet, thinly leathery; stamens three, ovary superior, glabrous, with two hairy stigmas. Fruit a dorsally compressed caryopsis (grain), 2–2.5 mm × 1.5–2 mm (PROTA, 2015).

There are two papers describing C. biflorus as newly recorded in Cape Verde, the earlier presumably being the more reliable (Rustan et al., 1983/1984). Elsewhere some of the earliest records are for 1965 in South Africa (it was not included in Chippindall, 1955) and 1976 in Botswana (GBIF, 2015). Bond et al. (2002) used molecular methods to try and establish the origin of the invasive populations in the Kalahari and found they were not closely related to those in the north of the country, adjacent to the Namibia border but must have originated from further afield. There was a surprising match with material from Burkina Faso but this seemed an unlikely source.

C. biflorus was introduced into North America and Australia for use as a forage species, due to its rapid growth and high nutritive value (Peerzada et al., 2016). It was reported as present in Hawaii however, it is no longer present (Akamine, 1944).

Soil drainage

• free

Soil reaction

• alkaline
• neutral

Soil texture

• light
• medium

Special soil tolerances

• infertile
• shallow

Vector Transmission

Seeds of C. biflorus are predominantly spread by attachment to grazing animals and perhaps birds.

Accidental Introduction

Accidental introduction may readily occur through attachment to clothing.

Intentional Introduction

C. biflorus is regarded as a nutritious grass for grazing and may be deliberately introduced to areas unsuitable for less drought-tolerant species.

C. biflorus is a dominant agricultural weed. It can be aggressive in its growth and when grown with other grasses, may replace them (Useful Tropical Plants, 2016). C. biflorus occurs as a weed in a wide range of crops, including Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet) (Munde et al., 2012), and Sesamum indicum (sesame) (Chandawat, 2004). It is also a problem in Hibiscus sabdarfifa in Sudan (El-Naim and Ahmed, 2010) and of a range of crops in Niger (de Fabrègues, 1992). It is also a major weed of irrigated wheat (species of Triticum) in Nigeria (Okafor, 1987), of groundnuts in Senegal (Nicou, 1961) and in a range of crops in Saudi Arabia (Chaudhary et al., 1981). The costs associated with control are however are unknown.

C. biflorus may become dominant under dry, overgrazed conditions. It is abundant in Sudan, the Sahel and southern Sahara, where it may form massive stands which alter biodiversity (FAO, 2015; Flora Zambesiaca, 2015; PROTA, 2015).

In Rajasthan, India, C. biflorus is seen as an important food plant for the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) (Sinha and Chandra 1987). In Senegal it is an important food plant for the Senegalese locust (Oedaleus senegalensis) (Chandra, 1982/1983) and in Mali for the Africa migratory locust (Locusta migratoria migratorioides) (Ohabuike, 1979).

It is possible for the inflorescence of C. biflorus to injure humans and grazing animals (Useful Tropical Plants, 2016).

• Invasive in its native range
• Proved invasive outside its native range
• Has a broad native range
• Abundant in its native range
• Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
• Pioneering in disturbed areas
• Fast growing
• Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year

• Negatively impacts agriculture
• Negatively impacts animal health
• Reduced native biodiversity

• Competition - monopolizing resources
• Rapid growth
• Produces spines, thorns or burrs

• Highly likely to be transported internationally accidentally

Economic Value

C. biflorus is considered a valuable forage grass in the Sahel; it is mainly browsed in the juvenile stage and when the grains have fallen off. It can be cut several times during the rainy season and made into hay or silage. The spiny involucres are sufficiently softened by ensiling to make consumption of the whole plant possible. C. biflorus persists until the end of the dry season and thus is important as a reliable source of fodder. Also in India the plant is used as a fodder and it is sown against desertification and in northern Australia as forage (PROTA, 2015).

Social Benefit

The grain of C. biflorus is edible and highly nutritious, being high in protein (210 g/kg) (Salih and Nour, 1992). It is considered a famine food in the Sahel and is collected as a wild cereal, e.g. by the Tuareg people. The leaves are eaten during famine in the Thar Desert in India. The grains are pounded and eaten raw, made into porridge, or mixed and cooked with other foods. The grain is also made into a drink. In Sudan it is made into bread and in Mauritania the ground grains are made into cakes. The grain is also a famine food in India, where it is eaten raw or used, mixed with pearl millet, to make bread. In normal years, it is mixed with sugar and ‘ghee’ and eaten as a children’s food (PROTA, 2015). It is used as a famine food in Rajasthan, India (Kumar, 2013).

The root is also an ingredient of traditional aphrodisiac prescriptions (PROTA, 2015).

Environmental Services

C. biflorus provides food for a number of locusts in India, Senegal and Mali (Chandra, 1982/1983; Ohabuike, 1979; Sinha and Diwakar, 2003). It is also a food source for migratory birds (Peerzada et al., 2016).