There are about 140 species of Pennisetum, distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. There are about 11 species in my country (including introduced species). Among them, one species, P.alopecuroides (L.) Spreng, is almost widely distributed throughout the country. , mostly high-quality forage, and used for papermaking, weaving, etc. Species of this genus are annual or perennial herbs. Basic introduction Chinese name: Pennisetum Latin scientific name: Pennisetum Kingdom: Plant Kingdom Phylum: Angiospermae Class: Monocotyledoneae Order: Graminales Family: Gramineae Subfamily: Panicoideae Family: Trib. Paniceae Distribution area: Mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical areas around the world Model species: Oriental Pennisetum (Panax) Morphological characteristics, distribution, growth habits, lower classification, representative plants, main value, morphological characteristics annual or perennial Herbs. The stalk is hard. Leaves linear, flat or involute. The panicle is compact and spike-like cylindrical; the spikelets are solitary or 2-3 in clusters, sessile or short-stalked, with 1-2 florets, surrounded by involucre-shaped setae; the setae are longer or shorter than the spikelets. The spikes are smooth, rough or pubescent and feathery, falling off together with the spikelets, with or without a common stalk underneath; the glomes are unequal in length, the first glomes are thin and tiny, and the second glomes are longer than the first; The first floret is male or neutral, the first lemma is as long as the spikelet or slightly shorter, usually containing 1 lemma; the second floret is bisexual, the second lemma is thick papery or leathery, smooth, equal or shorter In the first lemma, the margin is thin and flat, surrounded by a homogenous lemma, but the top is often free; scales are 2, wedge-shaped, folded, usually 3-veined; stamens are 3, with or without vellus hairs at the top of the anthers; style base How much united, how little separated. The caryopsis is oblong or oval, dorsally and ventrally compressed; the hilum is point-shaped, and the embryo length is more than 1/2 of the fruit. The interveinal cell structures of leaf epidermis are of the same or different types. The siliceous body is dumbbell-shaped or cross-shaped; the stomatal accessory cells are dome-shaped or triangular-shaped. Chromosome x=9, 7, 5. Distribution: There are about 140 species in this genus, which are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. A few species can reach warm and cold areas. Africa is the distribution center of this genus. There are 11 species and 2 varieties in my country (including introduced cultivation). Most of them are high-quality forage; the grains are edible; and they are also used as raw materials for paper making, weaving, and house building. Growth Habit: It likes a growing environment with sufficient sunlight, is drought and humidity tolerant, can also tolerate semi-shade, and has strong cold resistance. Suitable for warm and humid climate conditions, the growth rate accelerates when the temperature reaches above 20 degrees. Drought-tolerant, lodging-resistant, lodging-resistant, and disease-free. Subordinate classification Grass group Sect. Gymnothrix (Beauv.) Benth. Royal valley group Sect. Penicillaria (Willd.) Benth. Pennisetum group sect. Pennisetum Representative plant Pennisetumalopecuroides (L. ) Spreng. Perennial. The fibrous roots are thicker. The stems are erect, clustered, 30-120 cm high, densely pubescent under the inflorescence. The leaf sheath is smooth, both sides are flattened, the main vein is ridged, the one at the base is cross-shaped, and the upper part of the stalk is longer than the internodes; the ligule has cilia about 2.5 mm long; the blade is linear, 10-80 cm long, 3-8 mm wide , the apex is long and acuminate, and the base is warty.

Panicle erect, 5-25 cm long, 1.5-3.5 cm wide; main axis densely pubescent; total stem 2-3 (-5) mm long; bristles rough, light green or purple, 1.5-3 cm long; spikelets usually Solitary, occasionally twin, linear-lanceolate, 5-8 mm long; first glume is minute or absent, 1-3 mm long, membranous, blunt apex, with unclear or 1 vein; second glume lanceolate, short-pointed apex, with 3-5 veins, about 1/3-2/3 of the spikelet; the first floret is neutral, the first lemma is as long as the spikelet, with 7-11 veins; The second lemma is as long as the spikelet, lanceolate, with 5-7 veins, and the edge is surrounded by a homogeneous lemma; the scales are 2, cuneate; the stamens are 3, the top of the anthers is hairless; the style is united at the base. The caryopses are oblong, about 3.5 mm long. The cell structure of the leaf epidermis is different between the upper and lower epidermis; cells 2-4 between veins in the upper epidermis are long cylindrical cells with ripples and thin walls; cells 5-9 between veins in the lower epidermis are long cylindrical cells with thick walls and ripples. Arranged crosswise with short cells. Chromosome 2n=18 (Tateoka, 1953; Chen, Hsu, 1961). The flowering and fruiting period is summer and autumn. Main value: It can be used as feed; it is also a raw material for weaving or papermaking; it is also often used as a loquat for oiling in local methods; it can also be used as a plant to solidify embankments and prevent sand.