FTA 9: 374 (1919).- Type: Schimper 1637, Ethiopia ( iso- P, K).
Anthisthiria multiplex Hochst ex A. Richard, Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 449 (1850).
Regional litterature: Fl. Ethiopia & Eritrea 7: 352, fig (1995); Pl. Sudan & S Sudan: 133 (2015).
Description:
* Trailing perennial of up to 1.6 m long. Culms wiry, very slender. Leaves linear-lanceolate, 4-8 cm long and 2-5 mm broad, glabrous, light green, flaccid, finely acuminate, abruptly narrowed at the base; ligule 1 mm long; sheaths glabrous.
* Inflorescence a spathate panicle of up to 5 distant tiers, each with a single simple ray. Spatheoles lanceolate-linear, 4-5 cm long, light green tinged with purple. Peduncles mostly a little longer than the spatheole, flexuous, scaberulous or pilose above. Racemes paired or rarely solitary, not deflexed, 1.5-3 cm long, 7-15 awned per pair, terminally excerted; bases unequal, the upper 1.5-3 mm long, terete or somewhat flattened, softly pilose or sometimes bearing stiff bristles.
* Sessile spikelets lanceolate, 4-5 mm long; callus square or semicircular, 0.5 mm long, very obtuse. Lower glume distinctly 9-nerved, glabrous or scaberulous, laterally keeled in the upper third, broadly rounded below; awn 7-8 mm long, the colomn glabrous. Pedicelled spikelets lanceolate, 6 mm long, glabrous, acuminate; pedicel tooth none. Homogamous spikelets 5-6 mm long, glabrous.
Distribution West Africa: South Sudan, Sudan.
Distribution world-wide: DRC, Central, East and southern Africa.