Kew Bull. 4: 480 (1949).- Type: Buchanan 561, Malawi (iso- K).
Stipa diminuta Mez, in Fedde, Repert. Sp. Nov. 17: 208 (1921);
Aristida cumingiana var. diminuta (Mez) Jacques-Félix, J.Agric. trop. 13:51(1966).
Regional litterature: FTEA: 146 (1970); FWTA 3(2): 378 (1972); Gram. Cameroun: 96 (1992); Fl. Chad (2013).
Description:
* Small caespitose annual of 15-30 cm high. Culms erect; internodes distally glabrous. Leaves cauline, 2-7 cm long and 0.5-1 mm wide; ligule a fringe of hairs.
* Inflorescence an open elliptic loose or effuse panicle of 4-10 cm long; branches capillary.
* Spikelets lanceolate, 2.5-3 mm long, purplish; callus pilose, obtuse. Lower glume lanceolate, 2-2.5 mm long, primary vein scaberulous, acute; upper glume lanceolate, 2.5-3 mm long, acute. Lemma elliptic, subterete, 1.5-1.7 mm long, white, coriaceous, scaberulous on the keel, convolute covering most of palea, acute, with curved awn of 7-10 mm long.