Ann. Soc. Linn., Lyon, n.s. 68:201 (1921).- Type: Wallich 8838, Nepal (holo- LE, iso- K).
Andropogon vimineus Trin., Mém. Acad. Sci. Petersb., sér. 6,2: 268 (1832);
Microstegium aristulatum Robyns & Tournay, Bull. Jard. Bot. Brux. 25: 240 (1955).
Regional litterature: FWTA: 477 (1972); Gram. Cameroun: 397 (1992).
Description:
* Mat forming annual of 0.1-0.4 m high. Culms decumbent, rooting from the lower nodes, nodes glabrous or pubescent. Leaves elliptic, 3-7 cm long and 5-8 mm wide, hairy on both sides, margins scabrous; ligule an eciliate membrane; sheaths hairy.
* Inflorescence composed of 2-5 subdigitate racemes, spreading or erect; axis 0-2.5 cm long. Racemes 3-5 cm long; rhachis fragile, flattened, ciliate on the margins; internodes linear, 4-5 mm long. Pedicels flattened, 3.5-4.5 mm long, ciliate. Sessile and pedicelled spikelets similar, fertile.
* Spikelets elliptic, 4.5-6 mm long, glabrous. Lower glume coriaceous, 2-keeled, 4 veins with cross veins, a longitudinal median groove, glabrous. Lower lemma without nerves, barren, 4 mm long; upper lemma linear, 0.2-1 mm long, hyaline, apex bifid. Anthers 3, 0.3-0.5 mm long.
Distribution West Africa: Introduced in Cameroon.
Distribution world-wide: Asia; introduced in DRC, C Africa and North America.