Révis. Gramin.2: 421 (1831).- Type : Du Petit-Thouars 58, Madagascar (syn- P).
Regional litterature: FWTA: 410 (1972); FTEA: 386 (1974); Fl. Zambesiaca 10,2: 196, fig (1999).
Description:
* Densely tufted perennial of 0.2-0.6 m high, often the base coated with fibrous remains of old sheaths. Culms erect, arising from a short scaly rhizome, 0.5 mm thick. Leaves stiff, linear to convolute, 4-15 cm long and 1-2 mm wide.
* Inflorescence a delicate lax panicle of 4-18 cm long, ovate, not whorled or only at lower nodes, with filiform branches of 5-6 cm long; the axils of the branches bearded with fine white hairs of 4-7 mm long.
* Spikelets elliptic, 2-2.8 mm long, barren rhachilla produced for about 1-2.5 mm above the base of a floret. Glumes acuminate, membranous; lower and upper glume 0.7-2 mm long, acuminate. Lemma ovate, 1.5-2.8 mm long, membranous, 3-veined; palea similar. Anthers 3, 0.4-1.4 mm long. Caryopsis cylindrical, 1 mm long.
Distribution West Africa: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria.
Distribution world-wide: DRC, Congo and southern Africa, Tanzania.