Kikuyu
Cenchrus clandestinus
NEMBA category
English: Kikuyu, Kikuyu Grass
Afrikaans: Kikoejoe, Kikoejoegras
Historical scientific names: Pennisetum clandestinum
Cenchrus clandestinus (formerly known as Pennisetum clandestinum), commonly called Kikuyu or Kikuyu Grass, is a very vigorous, dense, mat-forming perennial grass that spreads incredibly quickly, both above and below ground. It has bright green, relatively short leaves that are often folded. Its flowers are tiny and often hidden within the leaf sheaths, making them hard to spot.
Kikuyu Grass is famous (or infamous) for its ability to create a thick, lush lawn or pasture, but it’s also a highly invasive weed that can easily take over gardens, agricultural land, and natural areas, out-competing other plants.
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Origin:
Native to East Africa, particularly the highlands of Kenya (including the Kikuyu Highlands, after which it is named) and Uganda.
Distinguishing features:
Extremely vigorous spreading growth: Forms dense, thick mats via strong stolons (above-ground runners) and rhizomes (underground stems).
Bright green, short, hairy leaves: Leaves are usually folded, relatively short, and often have fine hairs.
Inconspicuous flowers: Tiny, pale green or purplish flowers are often hidden within the leaf sheaths, making them hard to see.
Dense root system: Forms a very strong, fibrous root system that makes it hard to remove.
Overall appearance:
A low-growing, highly vigorous, and dense mat-forming perennial grass. It typically presents as a lush, bright green carpet of foliage due to its extensive network of creeping stems.
Height:
Typically grows 10 to 20 centimetres tall when mown, but can reach 30 to 45 centimetres or more if left unmown, with flowering stems sometimes reaching 60 centimetres.
Width:
Spreads indefinitely, forming dense, impenetrable mats that can cover vast areas very quickly. Individual plants can send out stolons several metres long in a single growing season.
Leaves:
Leaf blades are bright green, linear, flat or folded, and relatively short, typically 2 to 15 centimetres long and 2 to 7 millimetres wide. They are often sparsely hairy on both surfaces, particularly near the base. The leaf sheaths (which wrap around the stem) are hairy and often purplish at the base. The ligule (a small membrane at the junction of the leaf blade and sheath) is a fringe of hairs.
Flowers:
Very small and inconspicuous, often hidden within the upper leaf sheaths. They are pale green or purplish. The male and female flowers are usually separate but on the same plant (monoecious). The male flowers are borne on short spikes, while the female flowers are enclosed by the leaf sheaths, with only the long, feathery white stigmas (which collect pollen) protruding. This hidden flowering makes it difficult to see when the plant is producing seeds.
Flowering season (South Africa):
Flowers throughout the warmer months, typically from spring to autumn (around September to May), but can flower year-round in frost-free regions.
Fruits:
The "fruits" are actually tiny, oval or oblong grains (caryopses), about 1.5-2 millimetres long, enclosed within the glumes (bracts) of the spikelet.
Seeds:
Small, brownish, oval seeds. Although often considered to spread mainly vegetatively, Kikuyu grass does produce viable seeds, which contribute to its dispersal, especially in newly invaded areas or after disturbance.
Roots:
Possesses an extensive and aggressive root system, composed of shallow, fibrous roots, as well as thick, fleshy, underground stems (rhizomes) and above-ground runners (stolons). These root-like structures can penetrate deep into the soil and are responsible for its rapid and aggressive spread.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types, from sandy to heavy clays, provided there is sufficient moisture and fertility. It thrives in well-drained, fertile loamy soils. It tolerates moderate acidity to neutral pH.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun for optimal growth, but can tolerate partial shade. It is well-adapted to warm climates, tolerates drought once established (though it prefers moisture), and is moderately frost-tolerant.
Edibility:
Not typically consumed by humans. It is primarily used as a pasture grass for livestock.
Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans. In livestock, while commonly grazed, very rapid growth after a dry spell or heavy fertilisation can sometimes lead to nitrate poisoning or bloat in cattle, though this is relatively rare.
Uses:
Widely cultivated globally as a fast-growing, robust turf grass for lawns, sports fields (especially rugby pitches and golf courses), and as a highly productive pasture grass for livestock, particularly cattle. It is also used for erosion control and stabilising disturbed soils due to its dense mat-forming habit.
Ecology:
As an alien invasive plant in South Africa, Cenchrus clandestinus (Kikuyu Grass) is one of the most widespread and problematic invaders. It spreads extremely aggressively through its robust underground rhizomes and above-ground stolons, forming dense, impenetrable mats that smother and outcompete indigenous grasses, herbaceous plants, and even tree seedlings. It can significantly alter ecosystem structure, reduce biodiversity, and impede natural succession. Its high water usage, especially in drier regions, can also negatively impact water resources. It is a major weed in agricultural systems, invading pastures and cropland, reducing yields, and requiring significant management efforts.
Distribution and habitat:
Widely cultivated and extensively naturalised and invasive throughout South Africa, particularly in the higher rainfall areas and irrigated zones. It is extremely common in all provinces, including the Eastern Cape (widespread in lawns, pastures, roadsides, and disturbed natural areas around Kenton-on-Sea), Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State, and North West. It invades grasslands, savannas, fynbos, forest margins, riparian zones, agricultural fields, pastures, roadsides, and urban open spaces.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Cenchrus comes from the Greek word 'kenchros', referring to millet, a type of grain.
The species epithet clandestinus is Latin for "hidden" or "secret," referring to its inconspicuous flowers that are often hidden within the leaf sheaths.
The common name "Kikuyu Grass" is derived from the Kikuyu Highlands of Kenya, where the grass is native and was first widely recognised and used.
Historical aspects:
Kikuyu Grass was introduced to South Africa and many other parts of the world (e.g., Australia, New Zealand, USA) from its East African origins in the early 20th century. It was widely promoted for its exceptional vigour, rapid growth, and high productivity as a pasture grass for livestock, and as a durable turf for lawns and sports fields. However, its aggressive spreading nature quickly led to its escape from cultivation and its recognition as a major environmental and agricultural weed and invasive species in many regions where it is not indigenous.
NEMBA status:
Category 1b invasive species. This means it must be controlled or eradicated where possible, and it is illegal to plant, propagate, import, or otherwise possess this plant without a permit.
Interesting facts:
Kikuyu Grass is named after the Kikuyu Highlands in Kenya, where it originally comes from – it's like a botanical tourist!
This grass is a master of disguise: its tiny flowers are often hidden away among its leaves, so you might not even notice them blooming!
It spreads super fast like a green carpet, not just by growing above ground, but by sending out sneaky underground runners too, making it incredibly tough to get rid of!
It's a favourite for rugby pitches and lawns because it can handle a lot of rough play and bouncing back, but that same toughness makes it a big problem in natural areas.
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