Kew Bull. 17: 467 (1964).- Type: Adams 12528, Guinea (holo- K).
Regional litterature: FWTA: 485 (1972); Fl. Guinée: 449 (2009).
Description: Large caespitose perennial of up to 2.5 m high with persistant and compacted dead butt sheaths at the base. Culms erect. Leaves flat or folded, 10-25 cm long and 2-4 mm wide, stiff; ligule a ciliolate membrane.
* Inflorescence a large lax spathate panicle of 0.4-0.6 m long of solitary racemes supported by a linear spatheole of 1-1.5 cm long; peduncle pubescent at the top. Racemes 1 cm long; rhachis fragile, subterete, ciliate. Pedicles 1-1.5 mm long..
* Sessile spikelets 4.3 mm long; callus oblong, 0.8 mm long, bearded with hairs 1 mm long. Lower glume lanceolate, 2-keeled towards the tip, flat, acute; primary vein scaberulous, intercarinal veins absent. Lower lemma lanceolate, hyaline, 2 mm long; upper lemma linear, 2 mm long, hyaline, 2-lobed with a glabrous geniculate awn of 7 mm from the sinus. Anthers 3, 2 mm long.