Niger Fl.: 565 (1849).- Type: Vogel 190, Nigeria (holo- K).
Regional litterature: FWTA: 410 (1972); FTEA: 383 (1974); Gram. Cameroun: 160, fig. 32 (1992); Fl. Zambesiaca 10,2: 191 (1999).
Description:
* Loosely tufted perennial de 0.3-0.9 m high; basal sheaths indurated, yellowish, papery and more or less fibrous. Culms erect. Leaves convolute, sometimes flat, 3-35 cm long and 1-5 mm wide with a filiform tip; ligule a fringe of hairs.
* Inflorescence a lanceolate panicle of 5-32 cm long, diffuse with capillary branches and pedicels. Branches 1-7 cm long. Spikelets pedicelled.
* Spikelets lanceolate, 1.6-2.6 mm long, dark grey green. Lower glume 0.5-0.8 mm long; upper glume ovate, 0.6-1.1 mm long, obtuse and mucronate with an awnlet of up to 0.5 mm long. Lemma narrowly ovate. Anthers 3, 1 mm long. Caryopsis obovoid, 0.6 mm long, quadrangular, truncate.
Distribution West Africa: Nigeria, Cameroon.
Distribution world-wide: Uganda, DRC and E and southern Africa.