Cenchrus americanus

Cenchrus americanus is an annual cereal grass widely known as pearl millet. It was domesticated in Africa and is now cultivated in warm, dry regions for grain and livestock forage. Upright stems carry dense cylindrical seed heads composed of many tightly packed spikelets and bristles. Research-grade observations document the species in Colombia. The former scientific name Pennisetum glaucum is still commonly encountered. Photographed in Colombia.