in W.H.Harvey & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Cap. 7: 763 (1900).- Type: Rehmann 5732, South Africa (iso- BM,K).
Brachyelytrum africanum Hack., Bull. Herb. Boissier 3: 382 (1895);
Festuca africana (Hack.) Clayton, Kew Bull. 40:727 (1980);
Pseudobromus sylvaticus K. Schum., P.O.A. C.: 108 (July 1895).- Type: Volkens 1285, Tanzania (iso- K).
Regional litterature: FTEA: 54 (1970); Fl. Zambesiaca 10,1: 52, fig (1971); Pl. Sudan & S Sudan: 131 (2015)
Description:
* Tufted perennial from short knotty rhizomes of 0.6-2 m high. Leaves 20-40 cm long and 6-14 mm wide, flaccid, venation with obscure cross veins; ligule an eciliate membrane of 3-8 mm long; sheaths glabrous.
* Inflorescence a lax spreading panicle of 20-50 cm long; branches spreading, flexuous; spikelets on filiform pedicels.
* Spikelets 1 (-2)-lowered, lanceolate, 7-10 mm long, with an additional awned barren floret, rhachilla extension barren; callus pubescent, obtuse. Glumes variable, lanceolate; lower glume lanceolate 2-5.5 mm long, membranous, 1-veined, acute; upper glume lanceolate to oblong, 3-6 mm long, 3-veined. Lemma lanceolate, 6-9 mm long, 3(-5) nerved, membranous, awned from the tip or sometimes just below dentate with teeth of 0.5-0.7 mm long, awn 12-20 mm long, stiffly flexuous; palea as long as lemma. Caryopsis hairy at apex. Anthers 3, 3-4 mm long. Apical flowers reduced.
Distribution West Africa: South Sudan/ Sudan.
Distribution world-wide: Uganda, and C, E and southern Africa.