Taxon 63: 1234 (2014).- Type: Löfling s.n., Spain (lecto- LINN).
Phleum schoenoides Linn., Sp. Pl. 60 (1753);
Crypsis schoenoides (Linn.) Lam., Tab. Encycl. Méth. Bot. 1: 166 t.41.1 (1791);
Crypsis compacta Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 151 (1854).- Type: Leprieur s.n., Senegal (syn-K); Roger 91, Senegal (syn- K).
Regional litterature: FWTA: 411 (1972); Fl. Mauritania: 426, fig (1991); Fl. Sahara: 173 (1977); Pl. Mauritanie: 294 (1998); Poac. Niger: 318, fig. (1999); Fl. Zambesiaca 10,2: 198, fig (1999); Fl. Chad (2013).
Description:
* Annual of 1-30 cm high, greyish green, sometimes developing small cushions. Culms radiating from the root, at first prostrate, finally ascending. Leaves broadly linear, 0.5-12 cm long and 1-5 mm wide, glaucous, tapering to an acuminate tip; ligule a line of long hairs of 1 mm long; sheaths broad, up to 6 mm wide.
* Inflorescence a pale greyish green ovoid head of densely crowded spikelets 1-2 cm long and 0.5-0.8 cm broad, embraced below by two inflated leaf-sheaths.
* Spikelets lanceolate, 2.5-4 mm long. Glumes narrowly lanceolate, 2.5 mm long, stiffly, shortly ciliate on the keel. Lemma lanceolate, as long as the spikelet; palea 2-nerved. Anthers creamy. Caryopsis obovate-ellipsoid, 1.5 mm long.
Distribution West Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan.
Distribution world-wide: Morocco, Algeria, Tunesia, Libya, Egypt,Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi, southern Europe, Middle East, India, Mongolia, China.