Cope, T.A. Poaceae (1995) Flora of Somalia 4: 149-270
Plants densely tufted perennials, up to 45 cm tall. Leaf blades inrolled, about 1 mm wide. Panicles 2.5-6 cm long; involucres cup-shaped, 6-9 mm long; outer bristles filiform; inner bristles greatly exceeding the spikelets, one of them longer and stouter than the others, flattened at the base, connate for 1/2 their length to form a cup, shortly ciliate on the lower portion, filiform and antrorsely scabridulous distally. Spikelets 1-2 per burr, 4-5 mm long.
Cenchrus somalensis grows in Juniperus forests at 1500-2200 m. It is known only from regions N2 and N3 as used in the Flora of Somalia.