Kew Bull. 4: 352 (1849).- Type: Culwick 26, Sudan, Abu Satta Hills (holo- K).
Tristachya esculenta (C.E. Hubb.) Conert, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 77: 300 (1957).
Regional litterature: Pl. Sudan & S Sudan: 136 (2015).
Description:
* Tufted annual of 0.6-1 m high. Culms erect. Leaves linear, 20-40 cm long and 3-11 mm wide. Scaberulous; ligule a fringe of hairs.
* Inflorescence an open ovate panicle of 15-35 cm long and 3-7 cm wide; branches appressed, whorled at most nodes, scabrous.
* Spikelets lanceolate, 22-32 mm long; callus elongated, 2 mm long, bearded, truncate. Lower glume lanceolate, 10-15 mm long, chartaceous, dark brown; upper glume lanceolate, as long as spikelet, chartaceous, dark brown, truncate. Lower lemma similar to upper glume, ¾ length of spikelet; upper lemma 12.5-15.5 mm long, coriaceous, pubescent, bifid with triangular lobes and a geniculate awn of 8-11 cm long from the sinus; column twisted, 3-5 cm long. Anthers 2, 6.5 mm long.
Distribution West Africa and world-wide: South Sudan.