Syst. Veg., ed. 13, 2: 88 (1774).- Type:
Andropogon ravennae Linn., Sp. Pl., ed. 2: 1481 (1763)
Erianthus ravennae (Linn.) P. Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr.: 148 (1812)
Regional litterature: Fl. Sahara: 152 (1977); Fl. Chad (2013).
Description:
* Caespitose perennial of 1-4.5 m high. Culms erect, internodes solid. Leaf-base tapering to the midrib, 0.3-1 m long and 3-20 cm wide; ligule a ciliate membrane; sheaths hirsute.
* Inflorescence an open, elliptic panicle of 0.2-0.7 m long; peduncle glabrous; primary branches 10-20 cm long, tipped by racemes. Racemes 1.5-3 cm long; rhachis fragile, subterete, villous on the margins; hairs 3-6 mm long; internodes and pedicels filiform.
* Spikelets elliptic, acuminate, 3-6 mm long, falling entire; callus truncate, bearded; hairs white, 2-4 mm long. Glumes glabrous (sessile) or pilose (pedicelled), membranous, as long as spikelet; lower glume elliptic, acute; upper glume lanceolate, acute. Lower lemma lanceolate, 3 mm long, hyaline, ciliate on margins; upper lemma lanceolate, 2-3 mm long, hairy above, apex entire with a flexuous apical awn of 2.5-10 mm long, excerted. Anthers 3, 3 mm long.