Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 390 (1850).- Type: Schimper 1806, Ethiopia (iso- K).
Regional litterature: FTEA: 144 (1970); Fl. Ethiopia & Eritrea 7: 80 (1995); Pl. Sudan & S Sudan: 119 (2015).
Description:
Densely caespitose perennial of 25-60(-120) cm high. Leaves involute, 5-25 cm long and 1 to 3 mm wide when flattened; ligule a fringe of hairs.
* Inflorescence a spiciform; linear, or oblong panicle, continuous, or interrupted; 5-20 cm long, 1 cm wide; branches usually pubescent in axils; spikelets solitary, pedicelled
* Spikelets lanceolate; 8-12 mm long; callus elongated, 1 mm long, pubescent; obtuse. Glumes persistent, similar, membranous, lanceolate, 1-keeled, acuminate, muticous or mucronate with an awn of 0-2 mm long; lower glume, 8-11 mm long; upper glume 8-11 mm long. Lemma elliptic, 6-8 mm long, coriaceous, rough above; midvein scaberulous; margins convolute, covering most of palea, acute, 3 -awned without articulation; awns subequal, 15-22 mm long limb, without a column, rigid, persistent; palea 0.2 length of lemma. Anthers 3.