FI. Agrost. Congo Belge 1: 66 (1929).- Type: Vanderyst 1325, (DRC (holo- BR).
Robynsiochloa purpurascens (Robyns) Jacques-Félix, J. Agric. Trop. 7: 406 (I960);
Chasmopodium purpurascens (Robyns) W.D.Clayton, Kew Bull. 28: 51 (1973).
Regional litterature: FWTA: 506 (1972); Gram. Togo: 172 (1983); Gram. Cameroun: 536, pl. 118 (1992); Fl. Zambesiaca 10,4: 176 (1999); Fl. Guinea Bissau: 134 (2008); Fl. Guinée: 453 (2009)
Description:
* Annuel de 1-1.6 m high. Culms robust, with stilt roots, nodes pubescent, rooting at the nodes. Leaves lanceolate, 25-55 cm long and 4-19 mm wide, margins scabrous; ligule an eciliate membrane; sheaths hispid with tubercle-based hairs.
* Inflorescence in spathate panicles with unilateral single racemes. Racemes 4-13 cm long; rhachis fragile, 5 mm wide; spikelet packing abaxial; internodes oblong, 2.5-4 mm long. Spikelets sunken, in pairs.
* Sessile spikelets oblong, dorsally compressed, 3-4 mm long. Lower glumes coriaceous, keeled towards the tip; upper glumes with one keel winged towards the tip. Lower and upper lemmas ovate, 3.5 mm long, hyaline. Anthers 3. Pedicelled spikelets 5-7 mm long, ovate, green, chartaceous.