Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 40: 82 (1907).- Type: Volkens 477, Tanzania (holo- B).
Leptochloa plectostachya K. Schum., Pflanzenw. Ost-Afrikas C 112 (1895).
Regional litterature: Fl. Ethiopia & Eritrea 7: 175 (1995).
Description:
* Robust sward-forming perennial of 0.3-0.9 m high with tough arching stolons. Culms geniculately ascending. 1-4 mm diameter. Leaves soft, flat, 10-30 cm long and 4-7 mm wide, green, scabrous and sparcely to densely hairy on both sides; ligule an eciliate membrane of 1-2 mm long; sheaths strongly compressed.
* Inflorescence 7-20 digitate racemes in 2-7 whorls. Racemes unilateral, 3-7 mm long, tending to curl inwards at maturity; rhachis flattened; spikelets 2-rowed.
* Spikelets ovate, 2.5-3 mm long, breaking up below the floret. Glumes reduced to 2 tiny scales, similar, ovate; lower glume 0.2-0.3 mm long; upper glume 0.4-0.6 mm long. Lemma ovate, 2.5-3 mm long, cartilaginous, narrowly winged and stiffly ciliate on the keel with hairs 0.3-0.4 mm long, puberulous along the margins; palea keels stiffly ciliate.
Distribution West Africa: Chad.
Distribution world-wide: Ethiopia, Uganda and E Africa; introduced in C America.
Note: Distinguished by its tiny glumes and relatively large membranous ligule.