in Hook., Ic. PI.: 35, tab.3454 (1947).- Type: Baron 4457, Madagascar (holo- K).
Rottboellia gracillima Bak., J. Linn. Soc. 22: 533 (1887).
Regional litterature: FWTA: 506, fig. 460 (1972); FTEA: 855 (1982); Gram. Cameroun: 537, pl. 119 (1992); Fl. Zambesiaca 10,4: 180, fig (1999).
Description:
* Dense caespitose perennial of 0.2-0.8 m high. Culms erect, fragile. Leaves filiform, stiff, involutous, 5-30 cm long; ligule a ciliolate membrane.
* Inflorescence in a single erect terminal raceme of 5-25 cm long and 1.2 mm diameter, long excerted, purplish; rhachis cylindrical, fragile, subcylindrical, excavated; internodes 5-10 mm long. Spikelets sunken, solitary.
* Sessile spikelets lanceolate, 4-6 mm long; callus square, obtuse, 0.5-1 mm long. Lower glume lanceolate, coriaceous, purple, keelless, 6-7-veined, obtuse at the apex; upper glume oblong, chartaceous, 2-keeled. Lower lemma similar to upper glume, 2.5-3.8 mm long, hyaline; upper lemma similar.
Distribution West Africa: Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cameroon, RCA.
Distribution world-wide: Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Madagascar.