Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1934: 426 (1934).- Type: Gossweiler 2458A, Angola, Benguella (holo- K); Gossweler 2659, Angola (syn- P).
Regional litterature: FTA 10 : 1 (1937) ; Fl. Zambesiaca 10, 3: (1989).
Description:
* Caespitose perennial of 1-2 m high, cataphylls present. Culms erect or ascending, nodes bearded. Leaves flat or convolute, 10-20 cm long and 3-7 mm wide; ligule a fringe of hairs.
* Inflorescence a linear contracted panicle of 20-35 cm long with pedicelled spikelets.
* Spikelets lanceolate, 6-7 mm long with a pubescent truncate callus of 0.5 mm long. Lower glume ovate, 3-3.5 mm long, chartaceous, dark brown, setose with tubercle based hairs, obtuse; upper glume lanceolate, as long as spikelet, dark brown with tubercle based hairs, truncate. Lower lemma similar to upper glume; upper lemma oblong, 3.5-5 mm long, coriaceous, pubescent, bilobed with ageniculate awn of 2-2.5 cm long from the sinus; column twisted, 6 mm long. Anthers 2, 2 mm long.
Distribution West Africa: Chad.
Distribution world-wide: DRC and Angola.