Journ. De Bot. Sér. 2.2: 207 (1909).- Type: Chevalier 4336, Gabon (holo- K; iso- P).
Regional litterature: FTA 9: 260 (1919); FI. Agr. Congo Belge 1: 139 (1929); FI. Gabon 5:170, tab. 27 (1962); FWTA: 488 (1972); Gram. Cameroun: 442 (1992).
Description:
* Robust perennial in large tufts of 2-4 m high. Culms robust. Leaves 30-50 cm long and 10-25 mm wide, attenuate into a long point; margins scabrous; ligule a ciliolate membrane of 2-3 mm long without an external ligule.
* Inflorescence a compound lax spathate panicle of 0.6-1.0 m long with terminal and axillary paired racemes. Racemes 3.5-5 cm long; rhachis fragile, glabrous or pubescent, internodes 2-3 mm long, oblong. Spatheole 5-7 cm long. Pedicels clavate, sparsely pubescent.
* Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed, 4-5 mm long; callus obtuse, shortly pilose. Lower glume lanceolate, chartaceous, keeled laterally; intercarinal veins distinct and the longitudinal median groove with a hairy midline. Upper glume lanceolate, chartaceous, muticous. Upper lemma hyaline, with a fragile glabrous geniculate awn of 9-12 mm long from the sinus. Pedicelled spikelets well-developed, lanceolate, dorsally compressed, 4-4.5 mm long.