mission grass
(Cenchrus polystachios)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Native to Africa
Appearance
Large, clumping grass to >6.6' (>2 m) tall.
Foliage
Leaves are 2-17.7" (5-45 cm) long, 0.12-0.7" (3-18 mm) wide, sometimes tinged with purple, very hairy. Inflorescence: Cylindrical spike, often slightly drooping, to 10" (26 cm) long with densely crowded seeds.
Fruits
Seeds are yellow-brown in color, surrounded by long bristles.
Could be confused with:
Napiergrass (Cenchrus purpureus), not native, which is more robust and has a very obvious white mid-rib or bristlegrass (Setaria) species which are generally smaller and have more rounded, less “hairy” seeds.
Citation
Angelo, C., Cooley, H., Giardina, D., et al. 2019. Everglades CISMA: Early Detection, Rapid Response Plant Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) CISMA and Friends of Everglades CISMA. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/ECISMA/assets/File/ECISMA_plantEDRR_.pdf
Native to Africa
Appearance
Large, clumping grass to >6.6' (>2 m) tall.
Foliage
Leaves are 2-17.7" (5-45 cm) long, 0.12-0.7" (3-18 mm) wide, sometimes tinged with purple, very hairy. Inflorescence: Cylindrical spike, often slightly drooping, to 10" (26 cm) long with densely crowded seeds.
Fruits
Seeds are yellow-brown in color, surrounded by long bristles.
Could be confused with:
Napiergrass (Cenchrus purpureus), not native, which is more robust and has a very obvious white mid-rib or bristlegrass (Setaria) species which are generally smaller and have more rounded, less “hairy” seeds.
Citation
Angelo, C., Cooley, H., Giardina, D., et al. 2019. Everglades CISMA: Early Detection, Rapid Response Plant Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) CISMA and Friends of Everglades CISMA. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/ECISMA/assets/File/ECISMA_plantEDRR_.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Poales |
| Family: Poaceae |
| Genus: Cenchrus |
| Cenchrus polystachios |
References
Common Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.
Scientific Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.