Tent. Fl. Germ. 1: 34 (1788).- Type: Europe (lecto- LINN).
Arundo epigeios Linn., Sp. Pl.: 81 (1753).
Regional litterature: FTEA: 102, fig. 35 (1970); Fl. Ethiopia & Eritrea 7: 54, fig (1995); Pl. Sudan & S Sudan: 122 (2015).
Description:
* Robust tufted perennial of 0.6-2 m high with elongated rhizomes. Culms erect, 2-3 -noded. Leaves flat or involute, 10-70 cm long and 3-14 mm wide, stiff, scaberulous, attenuate, filiform; ligule an eciliate, lacerate, truncate membrane of 3-12 mm long; sheaths glabrous.
* Inflorescence a contracted lanceolate to oblong panicle of 15-30 cm long and 3-6 cm wide; branches terete, scabrous 5-8 cm long. Pedicels filiform, terete, 0.3-1 mm long.
* Spikelets with one floret, lanceolate, 4.5-7 mm long, breaking up below the floret; callus bearded with hairs 5-8 mm long. Glumes similar, persistent, lanceolate, membranous, as long as spikelet, gaping, acuminate; lower glume . Lemma lanceolate, 3-4 mm long, membranous, without keel, 2 -fid and with a straight dorsal awn halfway up back of lemma of 3-4 mm long, not or scarcely exserted from the spikelet. Anthers 3, 2 mm long. Stigmas 2. Caryopsis 1 mm long.
Distribution West Africa: Sudan.
Distribution world-wide: Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda, E and southern Africa, Europe, Asia; introduced in N America.