Galapagos Species Database
The Galapagos Species Database shares the information about the species from our Natural History Collections.
Cenchrus pilosus
abrojo, cadillo lanudo
C. pilosus is an annual grass that can grow to 1 m in height.
It is used as fodder. Reproduction is by seeds which are spread when the seeds stick to animals.
Domain
Eukaryota
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Class
Liliopsida (= Monocotyledoneae)
Order
Cyperales
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Cenchrus
Species
pilosus
Taxon category: Accepted
Syn.: Cenchrus pallidus E. Fourn.
Taxon origin: Introduced - established
Habitat preferences: Found on sand bars, rocky slopes, open ground, and cultivated soil. Prefers low altitudes.
Trophic role: Primary producer
Reproductive biology: Reproduces via seeds which are spread by sticking to animals.
Growth form: Annual Herbs
Distribution origin: Mexico to Peru
Economic Use: Used as fodder.
Mode of introduction: Accidental
Introduction Pathway: Contaminant
Subpathway: Contaminant on plants (inc. seeds and plant associated material)
Introduced status: Naturalized
Invasive status: No data
Impact elsewhere: C. pilosus is not known to be an invasive species, but other species within the genus Cenchrus are well known as invasive species.
Control History in Galapagos: After C. pilosus was reported on Santa Cruz Island, manual control efforts from 2003 to 2006 removed a total of 46 individuals including both adults and juveniles. In May 2006, the topsoil of the area was collected and sterilized to kill the remaining seeds.
Year of first record: 2000
Map of specimen collection localities or observation records for this species in our collections database.
Distribution: Widely distributed on San Cristobal, eradicated shortly after introduction on Santa Cruz, original range from Mexico to Peru.
- Tropicos.org. (2017) Database of Missouri Botanical Garden. Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 06 Oct 2017 <http://www.tropicos.org
- Brako, L. Zarucchi,J.L. (1993) Catalogue of the Flowering Plants and Gymnosperms of Peru. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 45: i–xl, 1–1286.
- Delprete, P.G. (1995) Systematic study of the genus Delilia (Asteraceae, Heliantheae). Pl. Syst. Evol. 194(1/2): 111–122.
- DeLisle, D. G. (1963) Taxonomy and distribution of the genus Cenchrus. Iowa State Coll. J. Sci. 37(3): 259–351.
- Swallen, J.R. (1955) Gramineae. In: P. C. Standley & J. A. Steyermark (eds.), Flora of Guatemala—Part II. Fieldiana, Bot. 24(2): i–ix, 1–390.
- Zuloaga, F.O. Morrone, O. (2003) Cenchrus. In Catalogue of New World Grasses (Poaceae): III. Subfamilies Panicoideae, Aristidoideae, Arundinoideae, and Danthonioideae. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 46: 144-150.
- Hitchcock, A.S. (1951) Man. Grasses U.S. (ed. 2) 1–1051.
- Espejo Serna, A. López-Ferrari, A.R. & Valdés-Reyna, J. (2000) Poaceae. Monocot. Mexic. Sinopsis Floríst. 10: 7–236 [and index].
Dispersal propagule: Seed
Seeds have burs which attach to animals.