Kew Bull. 20: 271 (1966).- Type: Thollon 596, Congo (holo- P).
Atractocarpa olyriformis Franch., Bull. Soc. Linn. Paris 1: 675 (1887), emend. Rev. Gén. Bot 2:467 (1890) sub olyraefolia.
Regional litterature: FI. Gabon 5:210 (1962); FTEA 15, fig. 5 (1970); FTWA: 362(1972); Gram. Cameroun: 31, fig. (1992).
Description:
* Perennial with short knotty rhizomes, 0.4-1.5 m high. Culms with cauline leaves, erect. Leaves lanceolate, 15-35 cm long and 2-7 cm wide, with cross-veins, rounded at the base, asymetrical, very short false-petiole ; ligule a ciliolate membrane ; sheaths glabrous.
* Inflorescence an open, linear panicle of 10-20 cm long and 1-3 cm wide . Spikelets pedicelled.
* Spikelets ovate, laterally compressed, 10-17 mm long ; callus subtended by a fleshy frill. Glumes similar, ovate, lower 2-4 mm and upper 4-6 mm long. Lower male lemmas ovte, 9-11 mm, herbaceous, palea pilose ; upper fertile limma laceolate, 10-11 mm long, softly coriaceous, 9-veined with cross-veins, pubescent. Anthers 6, filaments united ; stigmas 3, papillose , styles connate.
Distribution West Africa: Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cameroon.
Distribution world-wide: Congo, DRC, Gabon, Tanzania.