Willdenowia 16: 143 (1986).- Type: Lobin 2519, Ribeira Janela, Santo Antao, Cape Verde (holo- FR).
SYNONYMS
* Densely caespitose perennial of 25-50 cm high. Culms geniculately ascending, 1.8-2 mm diam., 6-9-noded; internodes terete, striate, distally glabrous; nodes glabrous. Leaves involute, 1.5-2 cm long and 4 mm wide, glabrous except near the base, acute; ligule a fringe of hairs of 4 mm long; sheath with 1/3 closed, longer than internode, margins hairy.
* Inflorescence a contracted panicle of 11-15 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide; branches appressed, 1-2.5 cm long; axis glabrous. Spikelets pedicelled, solitary.
* Spikelets with 5-10 fertile florets and reduced florets at the tip, lanceolate, 4-12 mm long and 1.5-1.8 mm wide; rhachilla persistent and breaking up upwards, retaining the paleas. Lower glume lanceolate, 1.4 mm long, keeled, scabrous; upper glume lanceolate, 1.6 mm long, with scabrid keel, acute. Lemmas ovate, 1.8 mm long, grey with a scaberulous keel, lateral veins prominent, acuminate. Anthers 3, 0.3-0.4 mm long. Caryopsis ellipsoid, 0.7-0.8 mm long, light brown.
Distribution West Africa and world-wide: Cape Verde.