J. Fac. Sci. Univ. Tokyo, Sect. 3, Bot. 3: 312 (1930).- Type:
Melica latifolia Roxb. ex Hornem., Hort. Bot. Hafn. Suppl. 117 (1819) ;
Thysanolaena maxima (Roxb.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen.Pl. 2: 784 (1891).
Regional litterature: Fl. Gabon 5: 236 (1962).
Description:
* Caespitose perennial of 2-4 m high. Culms solid. Leaves 30-60 cm long and 3-7 cm wide, stiff, distinct cross veins, margins scaberulous, base broad and rounded; ligule an eciliate membrane, leaves deciduous at the ligule.
* Inflorescence a large drooping panicle of 30-60 cm long and 15-30 cm wide, contracted about the primary branches, these bearded in the axils. Pedicels shortly pedicelled.
* Spikelets lanceolate, laterally compressed, 1.5-2 mm long, falling entire; one basal steril floret, one fertile floret and a barren rhachilla extension of 0.2 mm long. Glumes similar, 0.6 mm long, membranous, 1-veined, acute. Sterile lemma lanceolate, 1.8 mm long, membranous; fertile lemma 1.4 mm long, membranous but thinner on the margins. Anthers 2, 0.6-1 mm long; stigmas 2. Caryopsis subglobese, 0.6 mm long.
Distribution West Africa: introduced Gambia (Plant List), RCA, Chad (Fl. Gabon 5)
Distribution world-wide: E and SE Asia, introduced DRC and Tanzania, Caribbean