Fl. Oware 2: 14 (1808) nom. conserv; Gram. Afr. Trop. 1: 244 (1962); Gen. Gram.: 271 (1986). Oplismenus africanus P. Beauv. = O. hirtellus (Linn.) P.Beauv.
Description:
* Annuals or perennials. Culms often trailing, creeping near base, forming mats in shady habitats.
* Inflorescence of racemes arranged along a common axis. Racemes distant, solitary, spreading or slanting, simple or somewhat compound; axis keeled on abaxial side. Spikelets usually in pairs, one spikelet often poorly developed and small; spikelets articulate with a short pedicel.
* Spikelets oblong. Glumes 5-7-veined, awned just below apex, shorter than spikelet, or upper glume as long, awned; lower glume with longest awn, abaxial. Upper lemma small, smooth and glossy, glabrous, 5-veined, with opaque enrolled margins embracing upper palea; upper palea as long and of same texture.
Tropical and subtropical genus with 5 species.