Schlechtendalia 25: 57-61(2013).- Type: Schimper 402, Ethiopie, Mt Scholoda (holo- P; iso- BR,GOET,K,L,M,MPU,S).
Danthonia elongata A. Rich., Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2:419(1851);
Helictotrichon elongatum (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) C.E.Hubbard, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1936: 335 (1936);
Helictotrichon elongatum var. preussii Pilg., Nolizbl. Bot. Gart. Berl. 9: 519 (1926).- Type: Preuss 1025, Cameroun (iso- K);
Helictotrichon maitlandii CE. Hubbard, Kew Bull. 1936: 332 (1936).- Type: Maitland 9A, Cameroun (holo- K);
Helictotrichon rigidulum (Pilger) C E . Hubbard, Kew Bull. 1936: 335 (1936);
Helictotrichon tibesticum (Miré & Quézel) Holub, Acta Univ.Caol., Biol. 1962: 155 (1962).
Regional litterature: FTEA: 89, fig. 30 (1970); Fl. Zambesiaca 10,1: 77, fig (1971); FWTA: 372 (1972; Gram. Cameroun: 72, fig: 14 (1992); Fl. Ethiopia & Eritrea 7: 31, fig (1995); Fl. Chad (2013); Pl. Sudan & S Sudan: 132 (2015).
Description:
* Tufted perennial of 0.4-1.4 m high. Culms erect or ascending. Leaves flat, 15-50 cm long and 2-6 mm wide, glabrous, normally glabrous and light veins; ligule 2-4 mm long ; sheaths often orange-brown.
* Inflorescence a narrowly oblong panicle of 10-30 cm long with the branches loosely ascending or sublinear, pendulous.
* Spikelets narrowly oblong, 2-3-flowered, 10-15 mm long, only the tips of the florets exserted, pale-green, usually purple-tinged ; internodes 2 mm long, densely hispid. Glumes herbaceous with broad hyaline margins ; lower lanceolate, 6-9 mm long, the upper oblong, 7.5-11 mm long. Lemmas 7.8-10 mm long, chartaceous with a hyaline tip and a geniculate awn from the middle of the lemma of 1-2 cm long.
Distribution West Africa: Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan
Distribution world-wide: Ethiopia, Uganda, DRC and Eritrea, E and southern Africa.