Changes

In spite of its usefulness, ''Cenchrus biflorus'' is often considered a noxious weed; the spiny inflorescences may injure humans and livestock and cause infection.

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 2 glumes and usually 2 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 3, ovary superior, glabrous, with 2 hairy stigmas. Fruit a dorsally compressed caryopsis (grain), 2–2.5 mm × 1.5–2 mm.