Kirkia 5: 249 (1966).- Type: Baldwin 10085, Liberia, Soplima (holo- K, iso- MO).
Loudetia falcipes C.E.Hubbard, Kew Bull. 12: 61 (1957).
Regional litterature: FWTA: 415 (1972).
Description:
* Loosely tufted perennial of 0.75-1.2 m high; rhizomes elongated; butt sheaths pubescent. Culms erect, 1-2 mm diam. Leaves 15-27 cm long and 2-4.5 mm wide, scaberulous, attenuate; ligule a fringe of hairs.
* Inflorescence in open ovate effuse panicle 10-18 cm long and up to 10 cm broad; branches capillary, abruptly recurved near tip, pubescent in axils, with prominent pulvini. Spikelets in triads, pedicelled, deciduous in a cluster with pedicels; pedicels fused to each other below, filiform, subequal, 1.5-5 mm long, ciliate.
* Spikelets lanceolate, 4.5-6 mm long; callus 0.2 mm long, pilose, truncate. Glumes similar, ovate, chartaceous, dark brown, hairy on veins (along margins) with tubercle-based hairs, acuminate; lower glume 3-4 mm long; upper glume 4.5-6 mm long. Lower lemma similar to u upper glume, oblong, 4.5-6 mm long; palea pilose; upper lemma elliptic, 3.5-4 mm long, coriaceous, pilose, 2 -fid with lanceolate lobes and 1 -awned from a sinus; awn geniculate, 4-5 mm long overall, with twisted column of 1-1.5 mm long; palea pilose, hairy on back. Anthers 3, 2 mm long.
Distribution West Africa and world-wide: Liberia.