Kew Bull. 20: 436 (1966).- Type: Adam 12595, Guinea, Conakry (holo-K).
Regional litterature: FWTA: 498, fig 457 (1972); Pl. Burkina Faso: 103 (2012).
* Caespitose perennial of 0.6-0.8 m high. Culms erect, 1 mm diameter. Leaves filiform, convolute, 10-30 cm long and 1-1.5 mm wide; ligule an eciliate membrane of 2 mm long; auricles erect, 2 mm long.
* Inflorescence composed of paired racemes supported by a spatheole. Racemes 3 cm long, with 4-7 sessile spikelets; rhachis fragile internodes filiform, ciliate on margins; bases filiform, the upper 4 mm long, glabrous.
* Spikelets linear, 4.5-6 mm long; callus cuneate, 0.8-1.3 mm long, pilose with red hairs. Lower glume oblong, coriaceous, with a longitudinal median groove; upper glume oblong, with an awn of 6-10 mm long. Upper lemma oblong, 3 mm long, bifid for 1/10, with an awn of 2.7-3.5 cm long from the sinus; column twisted, pubescent.
Distribution West Africa and world-wide: Senegal, Guinea, Liberia, Burkina Faso.