Cenchrus ciliaris

Anjan, blue buffalo grass, African foxtail, Rhodesian foxtail, buffel grass

A very variable tufted tussock-forming perennial grass with stems up to 1.5 m high and a large, strong root system. Grows in areas with 400-500 mm of summer rainfall and a long dry season. Found on many types of soil, but prefers sandy soils and is sensitive to waterlogging. High protein content and digestibility. Palatable when young, but protein content and digestibility diminish quickly with age. Good pasture grass for dry areas. Once established, withstands close grazing and fire. Recovers quickly if phosphorus available. Easily established from seeds, and widely used for seeding denuded arid pasture lands. Grows well with Stylosanthes humilis.

							As % of dry matter
						DM	CP	CF	Ash	EE	NFE	Ref
Fresh, early vegetative,
Pakistan						41.4	9.8	38.4	9.8	5.4	36.6	309
Fresh, mature, Pakistan						21.9	7.3	41.9	8.8	4.8	37.2	"
Fresh, early bloom, Tanzania						20.0	11.0	31.9	13.2	2.6	41.3	175
Hay, first cutting, Tanzania						87.0	7.4	35.2	11.7	1.7	44.0	"
							Digestibility (%)
					Animal		CP	CF	EE	NFE	ME	Ref
Fresh, early bloom					Sheep		76.2	76.2	85.0	72.9	2.50	175
Hay					Sheep		54.0	71.6	47.0	67.5	2.22	"