Elefanttisulkahirssi – Cenchrus purpureus

Culms are usually 1.80-3.6 m high, branched upwards, stems to 3 cm diameter near the base. Forms short rhizomes that root from lower nodes. Also falling stems root at nodes creating a stolon. Leaf sheaths are glabrous or with stiff hairs. Leaf blades are 1-5 x 30-120 cm, glabrous or hairy, margins thickened and shiny. Inflorescence is a bristly false spike 10-30 cm long, 1.5-3 cm wide (excluding bristles), dense, usually yellow-brown in colour, more rarely greenish or purplish.