in Harvey, Gen. S. Afr. PI., éd. 2: 440 (1868).- Type: Burke 75, Zeyher 1793, Afrique du Sud (syn- K).
Saccharum pallidum (Munro) Benth., J.L.S. 19: 66 (1881).
Regional litterature: FTA 9: 93 (1917); FI. Nigeria: 92, fig. 46a (1970); FWTA: 466 (1972); FTEA Gramineae: 706 (1982); Gram. Cameroun: 392 (1992); Fl. Guinée: 460 (2009).
Description:
* Caespitose perennial of 0.4-1 m high. Culms bearded around the nodes. Leaves linear, 5-20 cm long and 1-3 mm broad, glabrous at the base and veloutées on both sides; ligule a ciliate membrane.
* Inflorescence in 5-14 racemes appressed along a central axis of 3-10 cm long. Racemes 1-4 cm long; rhachis fragile, ciliate on the margins with yellow hairs of 4-6 cm long; internodes linear, terete, 2-3 mm long. Sessile and pedicelled spikelets fertile; pedicels linear, ciliate, 2-3 mm long.
* Spikelets elliptic, 3.5-5 mm long, callus bearded, truncate, with yellow hairs of 7-8 mm long. Lower glume elliptic, thinly coriaceous, shining, as long as spikelet; upper glume elliptic, coriaceous, coriaceous, ciliate on the margins. Pedicelled spikelets 3-4 mm long.
Distribution West Africa: Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon, CAR.
Distribution world-wide: DRC, Ethiopia, and southern Africa.