What is "cenchrus"

Cenchrus is a widespread genus of plants in the grass family. Its species are native to many countries in Asia, Africa, Australia, the Americas, and various oceanic islands.

Common names include buffelgrasses, sandburs, and sand spur. Such names allude to the sharp, spine-covered burrs characterizing the inflorescences of the members of the genus.

Some botanists include the genus within the related genus Pennisetum.

1. Cenchrus abyssinicus (Hack.) Morrone - Ethiopia, Tanzania, Yemen, Limpopo, Mpumalanga
2. Cenchrus agrimonioides Trin. – kāmanomano - Hawaiian Islands
3. Cenchrus arnhemicus (F.Muell.) Morrone - Australia (Western Australia, Northern Territory)
4. Cenchrus biflorus Roxb. – kram-kram - Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent, Madagascar
5. Cenchrus brevisetosus (B.K.Simon) B.K.Simon - Australia (Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland)
6. Cenchrus brownii Roem. & Schult. - North + South America, West Indies
7. Cenchrus caliculatus Cav. - Australia, New Zealand, assorted islands in Pacific + Indian Oceans
8. Cenchrus ciliaris L. – buffelgrass - Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent, Sicily; naturalized in parts of North + South America, Southeast Asia, various islands; considered noxious weed in some places
9. Cenchrus distichophyllus - Cuba
10. Cenchrus echinatus L. – common sandbur - North + South America, West Indies; naturalized in pats of Africa, southern Asia, various islands
11. Cenchrus elymoides - Australia (Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland)
12. Cenchrus gracillimus Nash - West Indies, southeastern USA
13. Cenchrus longispinus (Hack.) Fern. – mat sandbur - Canada, USA, Mexico
14. Cenchrus mitis Andersson - Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique
15. Cenchrus multiflorus J.Presl - Mexico, Central America
16. Cenchrus myosuroides Kunth - North + South America, West Indies
17. Cenchrus palmeri Vasey - Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Arizona
18. Cenchrus pennisetiformis Steud. - Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent
19. Cenchrus pilosus Kunth - from central Mexico to northern Chile
20. Cenchrus platyacanthus Andersson - Galápagos
21. Cenchrus prieurii - Sahara, Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent, Myanmar
22. Cenchrus robustus - Queensland, New South Wales
23. Cenchrus setiger Vahl - Sahara, East Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Indian Subcontinent, Myanmar, Andaman & Nicobar
24. Cenchrus somalensis - Somalia
25. Cenchrus spinifex Cav. – coastal sandbur - North + South America, West Indies
26. Cenchrus tribuloides L. – sanddune sandbur - North + South America, West Indies

several species now considered better suited to other genera: Anthephora Centotheca Dactyloctenium Echinaria Echinolaena Hackelochloa Hilaria Pennisetum Phragmites Scleria Setaria Trachys Tragus Tribolium

The cenchrus (plural cenchri) is a specialized anatomical structure in the insect group known as sawflies. The cenchri are small blister-like lobes on the metanotum of these insects, just posterior to the mesothoracic scutellum, shaped and positioned in such a way as to latch onto the base of the front wings when they are folded at rest. There are corresponding small patches on the wings where the membrane is roughened, to increase the friction against the dorsal surface of the cenchri. This is a unique mechanism among the insects.

Cenchrus is a genus of about 25 species of grasses.

Cenchrus may also refer to:

• Cenchrus (insect), a specialized anatomical structure in the insect group known as sawflies
• A taxonomic synonym for Agkistrodon, a.k.a. moccasins, a genus of venomous vipers found in Central and North America than include, cantils, copperheads and cottonmouths
• A taxonomic synonym for Candoia, a.k.a. bevel-nosed boas, a genus of harmless boas found in Melanesia and New Guinea