Cenchrus biflorus

Taxobox

---

regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Cyperales
familia = Poaceae
genus = "Cenchrus"
species = "C. biflorus"
binomial = "Cenchrus biflorus"
binomial_authority = Roxb.
synonyms =

"Cenchrus biflorus" is a species of annual grass in the Poaceae family. Common names include Indian sandbur, "Bhurat" or "Bhurut" in India, "Haskaneet" in Sudan, "K 'arangiya" in the Hausa language of Nigeria, and "Ngibbi" in the Kanuri language of Nigeria. ["Famine foods: Poaceae or Gramineae" Purdue University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/FamineFoods/ff_families/POACEAE.html] . Accessed December 29, 2007.] In the francophone countries of the Sahel, it is usually referred to as "cram-cram".

It is common in the Sahel savannas of Africa, south of the Sahara. ["Sahelian Acacia savanna" WWF Scientific Report [http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/at/at0713_full.html] . Accessed December 29, 2007.] According to a botanical criteria of geographer Robert Capot-Rey, the northern limit of "Cenchrus biflorus" defines the southern boundary of the Sahara.cite journal
author = Grove, A.T., nicole
year = 1958,2007
title = The Ancient Erg of Hausaland, and Similar Formations on the South Side of the Sahara
journal = The Geographical Journal
volume = 124
issue = 4
pages = 528–533
issn =
doi =
url = http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0016-7398(195812)124%3A4%3C528%3ATAEOHA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-3
accessdate = 2007-05-23 ] cite book
author = Bisson, J.
year = 2003
title = Mythes et réalités d'un désert convoité: le Sahara
publisher = L'Harmattan
isbn = fr icon]

It is also found in India, where the seeds are used in Rajasthan and its Marwar region to make bread, either alone or mixed with Bajra (millet). ["Famine foods: Poaceae or Gramineae" Purdue University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/FamineFoods/ff_families/POACEAE.html] . Accessed December 29, 2007.]

Uses

A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known grain has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare. [cite book |authorlink= |author=National Research Council |editor= |others= |title=Lost Crops of Africa: Volume I: Grains |origdate= |url=http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=2305 |format= |accessdate=2008-07-18 |edition= |series=Lost Crops of Africa |volume=1 |date=1996-02-14 |publisher=National Academies Press |location= |isbn=978-0-309-04990-0 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages=262 |chapter=Wild Grains |chapterurl=http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=2305&page=251 |quote= |ref= ]

References