Kew Bull. 20: 439 (1966).- Clair 16, CAR, Rafai-Zémio (holo- K, iso- G).
Regional litterature:
Description:
* Caespitose annual of up to 2 m high. Culms erect, 3-4 mm diameter. Leaves linear, 20-45 cm long and 2-3 mm wide, sparsely hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane of 1-2 mm long; sheaths hirsute.
* Inflorescence a linear spathate panicle of 20 cm long composed of terminal and axillary paired racemes; spatheoles lanceolate, 2.5 cm long, hirsute; peduncles short, 2 mm long, pilose above. Upper raceme reduced to a single sterile spikelet; lower raceme 1.2 cm long with one fertile spikelet; bases filiform, the upper 6-7 mm long, pilose with a 6 mm long appendage; one pair of homogamous spikelets at the base of the lower raceme.
* Sessile fertile spikelet linear, 9 mm long; callus cuneate, 2 mm long, pilose with white hairs. Lower glume coriaceous, thinner and pubescent above with a longitudinal median groove, tip setaceously bifid. Upper lemma linear, 4.5 mm long, hyaline, bifid with a geniculate awn of 8 cm long from the sinus; column twisted, pubescent. Pedicelled spikelet well-developped, 9 mm long; callus 0.5 mm long; glumes coriaceous, with 2 lemmas. Homogamous spikelets well-developped, linear, 8 mm long, muticous.
Distribution West Africa and world-wide: Central African Republic.