J. Agric. Trop. 1: 212 (1954).- Type: Jaeger 1705, Sierra Leone (holo- P, iso- K).
Regional litterature: FWTA: 417 (1972).
Description:
* Slender straggling perennial, 15-35 cm high. Culms prostrate; 15-30 cm long and 0.2 mm thick. Leaves spreading, 2-5 cm long and 1.5-3 mm wide; ligule a fringe of hairs.
* Inflorescence an open elliptic panicle of 4-5 cm long with 4-15 pedicelled spikelets.
* Spikelets lanceolate of 8-9 mm long; callus 0.5 mm long, bearded, truncate. Glumes dark brown or purple, glabrous or hispid with tubercle-based hairs, chartaceous acuminate; lower glume ovate, 3.5-5 mm long, chartaceous; upper glume lanceolate, 6-7 mm long. Lower lemma similar to upper glume, lanceolate, 8-9 mm long, acute; upper lemma oblong, 3.5-4 mm long, coriaceous, pubescent, margins involute, dentate with triangular lobes and geniculate awn from a sinus; awn 15-20 mm long with twisted column.
Distribution West Africa and world-wide: Sierra Leone.