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BECKEROPSIS Fig. & De Not.
PENNISETUM Rich.
Chemisquy, M.A., Giussani, L.M., Scataglini, M.A., Kellogg, E.A. & Morrone, O. (2010) Phylogenetic studies favour the unification of Pennisetum, Cenchrus and Odontelytrum (Poaceae): a combined nuclear, plastid and morphological analysis, and nomenclatural combinations in Cenchrus Annals of Botany 106 107-130
Annuals or perennials. Inflorescence a cylindric, spike-like panicle, bearing deciduous clusters of 1-several spikelets subtended by an involucre of bristles, these flexuous or spiny, filiform and free to the base or ± flattened and united below. Spikelets: lower glume up to 1/2 length of spikelet, sometimes 0; upper glume and lower lemma as spikelet or a little shorter; upper lemma chartaceous to thinly coriaceous with flat thin margins. Derivation of name: From cenchros, the Greek word for millet Comment: We have followed Chemisquy et al. (2010) in including Pennisetum within Cenchrus, on the grounds that Pennisetum, Cenchrus (and Odontelytrum) form a monophyletic group and that morphological differences, such as whether the bristles subtending the spikelets are free or partially fused, do not effectively separate the genera. Worldwide: 30 species in warm and dry regions of America, Africa and India Zimbabwe: 4 cultivated taxa. Insects associated with this genus:
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No image of a cultivated species but there is an image of a native or naturalised species |
| Species | Content |
| americanus (L.) Morrone | Description, Image |
| clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone | Description, Image |
| purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone | Description, Image |
| setaceus (Forssk.) Morrone | Description, Image |
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