FTA 9: 169 (1917).- Type: Brown s.n., Australia (iso- K).
Holcus parviflorus R. Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holl. 1: 199 (1810);
Dichantium parviflora (R. Br.) De Wet, Amer. Journ. Bot. 54: 386 (1967).
Regional litterature: FTEA: 718 (1982); Fl. Ethiopia & Eritrea 7: 305, fig (1995); Fl. Zambesiaca 10,4:428, fig (2002); Pl. Sudan & S Sudan: 122 (2015).
Description:
* Tufted perennial of 0.5-1.5 m high. Culms slender. Leaves linear, 10-30 cm long, 2-7 mm wide; ligule a ciliolate membrane.
* Inflorescence a panicle of 8-25 cm long with branches tipped by a raceme. Racemes reduced to a single triad of 1 sessile and 2 pedicelled spikelets, rarely with 2 sessile spikelets. Internodes and glabrous, 1.5 mm long with a translucent median line. Pedicels hairy on the margins.
* Sessile spikelet narrowly oblong, 3-4 mm long, scabrid, occasionally pubescent, acute; callus obtuse, pubescent. Lower glume membranous, shallowly concave, with 2 intercarinal nerves, ciliate on the keels and truncate; upper glume ovate, 1-keeled. Lower lemma linear, hyaline, 1-1.5 mm long; upper lemma with an apical bigeniculate awn 10-15 mm long, column twisted, hispidulous; anthers 1.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet lanceolate, 2.5-3.5 mm long; lower glume shortly hairy on the keels.
Distribution West Africa: Sudan.
Distribution world-wide: Ethiopia, and E and southern Africa, Oman, tropical Asia and Australia.