Cenchrus ciliaris

L. (1771)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Poales Family: Poaceae Genus: Cenchrus

blue buffelgrass, buffel grass, buffelgrass

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennials, sometimes short–rhizomatous and forming mats or tussocks.

Stems: Culms ascending, 10–150 cm tall, 1–2 mm in diameter, wiry or sometimes almost woody at base, sometimes many-branched from lower or basal nodes.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades 3–25 cm long, 2–13 mm wide. Apex caudate. Surfaces glabrous or sparsely pilose. Margins entire. Veins parallel. Sheaths keeled, glabrous or sparsely pilose; ligule a densely ciliate membrane 0.5–2.5 mm long; blades 3–25 cm long, 2–13 mm wide. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences paniculate, gray, purple, or yellowish, densely cylindrical to ovoid, 2–74 cm long, 1–2.6 cm wide, rachis angular and puberulent; burs 6–16 mm long, bristles connate only at base to form a disk 0.5–1.5 mm in diameter, inner bristles much exceeding spikelets, 1 of them longer and stouter than the rest, at least the longest somewhat flattened at base, sparsely or densely ciliate below, grooved on the face or not, filiform above, flexuous, often wavy, antrorsely scaberulous, outer bristles filiform; spikelets 1–4 per bur, 2–5.5 mm long, dorsally compressed, lanceoloid; glumes distinct, first glume membranous, 1–nerved, l–3 mm long, second glume 1–3–nerved, 1.3–3.5 mm long; first lemma 5–6–nerved, 2.5–5 mm long; palea 2.5–5 mm long, enclosing a staminate flower; second lemma thin, 5– nerved, 2.2–5.4 mm long. Stamens 3. Ovary superior.

Fruit: Caryopsis turgid; ovoid; 1.4–1.9 mm long; ca. 1 mm in diameter.

Ploidy: 2n = 32; 34; 35; 36; 40; 43–45; 48; 52; 54; 56

Habitat: Naturalized and common in dry areas and sandy soil in a wide variety of disturbed habitats;.

Elevation Range: 0–120 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

Synonyms (40)

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Wind
Other Animals

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Mant. Pl. 2: 302 (1771)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1512 (K, O, Mo, L, M, Ka, H); Herbst & Clayton 1998:21 (KEY); Starr & Martz 2000:11 (Mi); Wood & LeGrande 2006:25 (Le); Faccenda 2023c:90, 92, 93 (rhizomatous glaucous cv. noted on K, O, Mo, H, KEY); Jonathan Plissner pers. comm. 2025 (Mi†, 2024)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cenchrus ciliaris USDA Plant Materials Center; dryland grass and legume trial; field 7B; row 2; plot 9; source: unknown Preserved_Specimen Open lacy grass 3 tall. Leaves medium yellow-green; smooth. Seeds furry w/pink-purple cast. Used as erosion control. No disease or insect problems noted. Evans, M. 108 Molokai BISH 1990-07-12
2 Cenchrus ciliaris Kahoolawe This specimen collected in the forestry plantings although it can be found outside the enclosures. Preserved_Specimen Char, W.P. 78.049 Kahoolawe BISH 1978-11-23
3 Cenchrus ciliaris South Kohala District. Collected east of Queen Kaahumanu Highway between Mauna Lani Drive and Puako turn off Dry area with scant vegetation; open grassland with scattered Prosopis pallida. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Hawaii BISH 1991-02-04
4 Cenchrus ciliaris Moomomi Proposed sand-mining tract (parcel 8) A common weed favoring draws in Prosopis stands Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2971 Molokai BISH 1986-10-30
5 Cenchrus ciliaris Waimea Canyon Drive Across road from county water tank Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 666 Kauai BISH 1983-11-29
6 Cenchrus ciliaris Lanai Preserved_Specimen Palumbo, D. 5 Lanai BISH 1981-01-01
7 Cenchrus ciliaris Bordering west side of LZ-1 Preserved_Specimen Warren, S. 6 Kahoolawe BISH 1987-04-09
8 Cenchrus ciliaris Ewa Beach Preserved_Specimen Char, W.P. 146 Oahu BISH 1982-01-30
9 Cenchrus ciliaris Kaena Point Preserved_Specimen Bennett, T. 187 Oahu BISH 1982-01-30
10 Cenchrus ciliaris West Maui, Waihee. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 1307 Maui BISH 1990-05-14
11 Cenchrus ciliaris Moomomi Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Molokai BISH 1982-05-17
12 Cenchrus ciliaris Pensacola. Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station. Preserved_Specimen Lyman, R.A. 2997 Oahu BISH 1939-10-12
13 Cenchrus ciliaris Poopoo island, small island 100 yards off southern coast vegetation consisting of native shrub; sida; native herbs; Lipochaeta lavarum, L.heterophylla, Portulaca villosa; native grasses; Panicum spp. Heteropogon contortus; exotic grasses: Chloris, Cenchrus ciliaris Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 9736 Lanai BISH 1982-04-05
14 Cenchrus ciliaris Lehua Islet, N of Niihau Preserved_Specimen Montgomery, S. Lehua Rock BISH 1997-05-27
15 Cenchrus ciliaris Kahuku Preserved_Specimen Pearsall, G.A. Oahu BISH 1959-09-09
16 Cenchrus ciliaris Diamond Head Crater, along trail to summit Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Oahu BISH 1984-05-05
17 Cenchrus ciliaris Kanepuu Preserved_Specimen Montgomery, S.L. Lanai BISH 1971-06-15
18 Cenchrus ciliaris Makaha Surfing Beach Herb to 1 m growing alongside road at edge of barbed wire fence 4 km west of beach Preserved_Specimen Teraoka, W. 290 Oahu BISH 1980-02-15
19 Cenchrus ciliaris Honolulu; Pensacola Preserved_Specimen Oahu BISH 1940-06-18
20 Cenchrus ciliaris West End of Burns Field Salt Pond Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 714 Kauai BISH 1984-01-04
21 Cenchrus ciliaris Poopoo, offshore and W of Huawai Bay basaltic boulders and soil; grassland; Sida fallax, Tribulus cistoides, Waltheria indica, Cenchrus ciliaris, Boerhavia repens Preserved_Specimen ~35 cm grass; flower Wood, K.R. 11809 Lanai BISH 2006-04-06
22 Cenchrus ciliaris Molokini Islet Dominant. Covers most of the islet, especially the inner slope. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 6040536 Maui BISH 2005-04-05
23 Cenchrus ciliaris Waiehuu Cane fields in Waiehu sand dune area near golf course, makai side of Hwy 34 Associated with Leucaena Preserved_Specimen Ishikawa, S. 314 Maui BISH 1973-11-29
24 Cenchrus ciliaris Puu Heihei near Saddle Rd., South Kohala District Growing in bare soil on grazed lower part of hill in Dodonaea-Pennisetum setaceum scrub grassland. Preserved_Specimen Small grass. Cuddihy, L.W. 901 Hawaii BISH 1981-10-08
25 Cenchrus ciliaris Lower K1, along rd Dry lowland roadside, weathered basalt substrate. Associated vegetation: Prosopis pallida. Preserved_Specimen Perennial grass, foliage blueish-green. Starr, F. 308271 Kahoolawe BISH 2003-08-27
26 Cenchrus ciliaris Mamalahoa Hwy Between Waikoloa and Saddle Rd Roadside through pasture. This is not fountain grass. Possible hybrid w/7168? Both fountaingrass & 7168 present. This specimen of apparent intermediate character. Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 7169 Hawaii BISH 1987-06-28
27 Cenchrus ciliaris Parker Ranch, Puu Hinai Old grass experimental plot. Erect, perennial Preserved_Specimen Ewart III, G.R. 258 Hawaii BISH 1932-06-16
28 Cenchrus ciliaris Moku Manu, S islet Rare. One plant on north slope. One small patch on south slope. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 6022813 Oahu BISH 2006-02-28
29 Cenchrus ciliaris Kiei Islet; S side Occasional on steep slope of S side of islet. Preserved_Specimen A few clumps. One small plant on upper terraced section. Starr, F. 6040602 Lanai BISH 2006-04-06
30 Cenchrus ciliaris Between Kekaha and ocean In open, arid, disturbed Prosopis area. Preserved_Specimen Common grass with purple inflorescence Herbst, D.R. 5232 Kauai BISH 1975-02-26
31 Cenchrus ciliaris South point, South Point Rd. about 200 m N of final Y in road Roadside ditch, seemingly slightly moister than nearby areas as this grass was green whereas all other vegetation was dry and brown at this time Preserved_Specimen Rhizomatous grass, leaves blue glaucous, taller than then nearby C. ciliaris and with much longer leaves. Forming a monoculture along the road for about 20-30 m. Likely a cultivar of C. ciliaris Faccenda, K. 2271 Hawaii BISH 2022-03-02
32 Cenchrus ciliaris Honolulu District: Koko Head, S of Nonoula Crater Introduced. A few large clumps Preserved_Specimen Bruegmann, M.M. 111 Oahu BISH 1984-01-11
33 Cenchrus ciliaris USDA Plant Materials Center Dryland grass and legume trial, field 7B, row 1, plot 1, HA-4351 Upright, dense, cespitose grass, 2' tall. Leaves yellow-green, rough above, smooth below. Multiple seed heads. Used as erosion control. Preserved_Specimen Evans, M. 107 Molokai BISH 1990-07-12
34 Cenchrus ciliaris Waipio Peninsula; Waipio, Pouhala Marsh between Kapakahi & Waikele Streams Common on dredged ruderal land adjacent to the marsh. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 9614 Oahu BISH 1996-12-18
35 Cenchrus ciliaris East Maui, Nuu, beach strand beach strand Preserved_Specimen Haus, B. Maui BISH 2013-01-14
36 Cenchrus ciliaris W Maui, Wailuku District, Waikapu, 1/4 mile up Waikapu Rd, coming off of Kuihelani Hwy Coming up in sandy berm betw the rd and cane field. Dry sandy soil. Associated vegetation: Kiawe, buffel grass, Macaranga tanarius, and other lowland weeds. Preserved_Specimen Erect grass ca. 1m ht; rachis angular w. sharp-edged decurrent wings below the involucral scars; bristles of involucre distinct, ca. 15mm. Starr, F. 12091 Maui BISH 2000-12-09
37 Cenchrus ciliaris Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range, Outplanting site With Leucaena leucocephala, Sida falax (779220), Prosopis palida, Erythrina sandwicensis. Preserved_Specimen 0.75 m tall grass. BISH staff 2 Oahu BISH 2021-04-28
38 Cenchrus ciliaris Airport, Sh side On roadside. Preserved_Specimen Common variety w/spikelets spaced somewhat along rachis Hobdy, R.W. 3914 Maui BISH 1995-12-04
39 Cenchrus ciliaris Kapolei, Kualakai Pkwy about 500 m N of its intersection with Kapolei Pkwy Roadside along bike trail, full sun, area dominated by Cenchrus ciliaris Preserved_Specimen Blue leaved rhizomatous form, rare, only this one clump was seen in the area, all other plants had green leaves Faccenda, K. 3036 Oahu BISH 2023-02-19
40 Cenchrus ciliaris Kaena Point. Along trail from the Mokuleia side. Along coast, at old rusted gate. With Sporobolus virginicus, Euphorbia non native species, Chloris cf. barbata, Ruellia brittoniana, Emilia fosbergii, Erythrina sandwicensis. Preserved_Specimen Kennedy, B. 80 Oahu BISH 2018-12-02
41 Cenchrus ciliaris Waimea, S. Kohala Keamoku grass garden In dry grass garden, small patch Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 2026 Hawaii BISH 1938-04-26
42 Cenchrus ciliaris Mamalahoa Hwy Between Waikoloa and Saddle Rd Pastureland. Growing w/fountain grass & possible hybrid? cf 7169 Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 7168 Hawaii BISH 1987-06-28
43 Cenchrus ciliaris Honolulu; Cor. Kalihi and School Streets Creeping grass by walk Preserved_Specimen 1 ft. high, lower 1/3 prostrate, upper 2/3 erect; fl. head purplish, ca. 3 in. long Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1962-03-26
44 Cenchrus ciliaris Moomomi Beach 1.5 mi W. of beach Sand dunes. Preserved_Specimen Aidem, J. Molokai BISH 1972-02-17
45 Cenchrus ciliaris Waimea Canyon Dr., about 400m up the road from the edge of the town, makai of Panini Ln Dry, exposed roadside, from hard soil on a S. facing slope Preserved_Specimen Abundant, mixed with Cenchrus setigerus. These plants had unusually narrow leaves Faccenda, K. 2464 Kauai BISH 2022-06-02
46 Cenchrus ciliaris Airport, Sh side On roadside. Preserved_Specimen Common variety w/spikelets spaced somewhat along rachis Hobdy, R.W. 3915 Maui BISH 1995-12-04
47 Cenchrus ciliaris Molokini Islet; inner slope Buffelgrass forms the dominant herbaceous cover which accounts for approximately 60% of the vegetated area. Other associated plants include Nicotiana glauca, Waltheria americana, Sida fallax, and Ageratum conyzoides. Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 411 Maui BISH 1980-04-23
48 Cenchrus ciliaris Kawaihapai Single naturalized roadside patch Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 20673 Oahu BISH 1950-04-08
49 Cenchrus ciliaris Rt 190 about 6 km S of Waimea, roadside Dry, sunny roadside Preserved_Specimen Rhizomatous grass with glaucous blue leaves and clums. Uncommon in this area. Likely a cultivar of C. ciliaris. Spikelets 3.5-4 mm long; upper glume 1.5 mm, 1 veined, membranous; sterile lemma 3.5 mm, 5 veined, membranous; fertile lemma 3.5 mm, 6 veined, Faccenda, K. 2322 Hawaii BISH 2022-03-05
50 Cenchrus ciliaris Airport, Sh side On roadside. Preserved_Specimen Common variety w/spikelets spaced somewhat along rachis Hobdy, R.W. 3915 Maui BISH 1995-12-04
51 Cenchrus ciliaris Kealia Salt Marsh Salt marsh Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Maui BISH 1990-02-15
52 Cenchrus ciliaris Waimea District Mana, intersection of Lio Road & Hwy 50 Common grass along roadside. With Chloris barbata and Bothriochloa pertusa Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2688 Kauai BISH 1988-01-15
53 Cenchrus ciliaris Intersection of Saddle Road and Rt. 190 Sunny, open meadow Preserved_Specimen Found on edge of road but not in pasture areas, much less common than C. setaceus Faccenda, K. 2322.2 Hawaii BISH 2022-03-05
54 Cenchrus ciliaris Manele W of Manele Common on arid, rocky slopes. Prosopis-Sida-Heteropogon association. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 3828 Lanai BISH 1988-03-07
55 Cenchrus ciliaris Kahului, side of road near the State Department of Land and Natural Resources baseyard Associated with Cenchrus ciliaris, Prosopis pallida, Sida fallax Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 980506135 Maui BISH 1998-05-06
56 Cenchrus ciliaris Kohala District Near Kawaihai Roadside weed of dry area. Branching grass with purple inflorescences. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5311 Hawaii BISH 1975-05-19
57 Cenchrus ciliaris Rt 50, ca. 5 km NW of Kekaha Roadside weed, sunny, dry area Preserved_Specimen Leaves glaucous, rhizomatous, the typical form of this grass was occuring right next to it. This is apparently a cultivar Faccenda, K. 2480 Kauai BISH 2022-06-04
58 Cenchrus ciliaris Puu Hinai Parker Ranch Old grass experimental plot Preserved_Specimen Ewart III, G.R. 258 Hawaii BISH 1932-06-16
59 Cenchrus ciliaris Honolulu; Punahou area, 1940 Manoa Rd A weed in a sunny lawn. Preserved_Specimen Lau, J. 1469 Oahu BISH 1985-09-30
60 Cenchrus ciliaris On slopes of Puu Kohola Heiau near Waimea Arid, disturbed area; assoc. with Sida, Ipomoea, Chloris radiata, Eragrostis cilianensis Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 231 Hawaii BISH 1966-08-09
61 Cenchrus ciliaris Kaunakakai Roadside weed; abundant Preserved_Specimen Grass with purple inflorescece Herbst, D.R. 5703 Molokai BISH 1976-03-08
62 Cenchrus ciliaris Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Oahu At back of refuge near fence, growing along the road in drier area. Preserved_Specimen Clumping grass, light green single spiked inflorescence. Crago, L.M. 2005067 Oahu BISH 2005-02-23
63 Cenchrus ciliaris Molokini Islet; inner slopes Northern exposed slopes. Growing in full sun. Preserved_Specimen 12-15 height, dry, and fruiting profusely. Clarke, G. 413 Maui BISH 1980-04-23
64 Cenchrus ciliaris East Maui, Omaopio Rd, near Piliwale Rd Side of rd and in pastures. Associated vegetation: Panicum maximum, Malva parviflora. Preserved_Specimen Grass; involucral bristle not connate at base. Starr, F. 201171 Maui BISH 2002-01-17
65 Cenchrus ciliaris Molokini Islet; north exposed slope The dominant herbaceous cover of island's north exposed slopes. 12-15 height, dry, growing in full sun and fruiting profusely. Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 405 Maui BISH 1980-04-23
66 Cenchrus ciliaris Puu Pehe Islet Dominant. Dominates islet. Found on all parts except sheer faces. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 6040628 Lanai BISH 2006-04-06
67 Cenchrus ciliaris Kaiwi Shoreline Hike, just East of Kapaliokamoa/Pele's chair. In Patch of vegetation containing Leucaena leucocephala, Sida (rhombifolia?), Sida falax, Portulaca (lutea?), Boerhavia coccinea. Surrounding vegetation <60cm. Soil rocky, gravelly basalt w. little organic material. Preserved_Specimen Grass ~30cm, dull green, drying to a dull grayish tan straw. Appears to be one of the dominant grasses on the trail, noted in most areas. Walvoord, N. 2021001 Oahu BISH 2021-02-13
68 Cenchrus ciliaris Waimea, S. Kohala Keamoku grass garden In dry grass garden, small patch Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 2026 Hawaii BISH 1938-04-26
69 Cenchrus ciliaris Waimea District, Mana plain, along Kaumualii Hwy, near Tartar Dr Side of rd. Associated vegetation: Cenchrus ciliaris. Preserved_Specimen Semi-erect perennial grass ca. ½m; lvs bluish; inflorescence, a spicate panicle, conspicuously exserted from upper most leaf sheath; rachis angular; fruit blonde. Starr, F. 202265 Kauai BISH 2002-02-26
70 Cenchrus ciliaris Molokai ranch, 2.5 mil N. of Mauna Loa, on road to Papahaku Beach Molokai silty clay loam Preserved_Specimen Hawaii PMC No. HA-179. Annual rainfall 20 inches (Not on sheet) Molokai BISH 1967-05-09
71 Cenchrus ciliaris Ho'olehua, end of pavement on W end Mo'omomi Ave. Disturbed roadside, dry, sunny area Preserved_Specimen Rhizomatous, blue leaved form. Common in this area along 100s of meters of road. Besides for this patch, the green leaved caespitose form was dominant Faccenda, K. 2919 Molokai BISH 2022-12-27
72 Cenchrus ciliaris W Maui, Lahaina District, Lihau Lowland Dry Grassland at 600 ft with mostly the alien tree species of Prosopis pallida, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia farnesiana, and some native shrubs of Dodonaea, Sida fallax and Santalum ellipticum Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 1124 Maui BISH 1991-07-14
73 Cenchrus ciliaris Waiahukini Plants growing along coast and amongst archeological sites, up to 200 m from the ocean. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10193 Hawaii BISH 1984-03-25
74 Cenchrus ciliaris Kaalualu Bay near South Point Tall grass up to 1.5 m high. Found only in one spot on west side of bay growing among lantana bushes. Preserved_Specimen Whistler, W.A. 53 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
75 Cenchrus ciliaris Makawao District, Near Kahului Airport, toward Kanaha Beach Park Disturbed grasslands forming large mats Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5783 Maui BISH 1988-03-03
76 Cenchrus ciliaris W Maui, Lahaina District, Lihau Lowland Dry Grassland at 600 ft with mostly the alien tree species of Prosopis pallida, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia farnesiana, and some native shrubs of Dodonaea, Sida fallax and Santalum ellipticum Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 1123 Maui BISH 1991-07-14
77 Cenchrus ciliaris Near Puu Kohola Kawaihae Ubiquitous near arid coast Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 31103 Hawaii BISH 1966-12-20
78 Cenchrus ciliaris Mokulua South, Oahu, summit ridge Preserved_Specimen Uncommon. A few patches on summit ridge Starr, F. 5022313 Oahu BISH 2005-02-23
79 Cenchrus ciliaris Manana, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Dominant. Dominates almost all space on the west slope, shares dominance with Verbesina in the crater and dominates many of the soil areas on the east slope. Starr, F. 5022522 Oahu BISH 2005-02-25
80 Cenchrus ciliaris Kaena Pt. Military Reservation Uncommon grass in flat, rocky area behind sand dunes, near base of talus. Growing with Sida, Jacquemontia & Chloris Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 1401 Oahu BISH 1976-11-03