Graminae 

Common names: Aristida, Woolly bristlegrass

Description

Caespitose perennial up to 90 cm high. The leaf-sheaths pubescent to woolly tomentose especially at their base and near the mouth. Leaf-blades flat up to 30 cm long and 4 mm wide. Panicle dense and spike-like up to 24 cm long. Glumes unequal the lower 7-10 mm long, upper 12-20 mm, both with an awn up to 5 mm long, body of the lemma 8-10 mm long with an articulation between it and the awn column, column strongly twisted 12-27 mm long, awn branches subequal 2.8-5.5 cm long.

Habitat

Red sandy soil in Commiphora/Acacia deciduous bushland.

Altitude range

300-400 m.

Distribution

Kenya; also from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Southwest Africa, and South Africa.

Use

Not recorded.

Edited by: F. Guiso Gallisai
Information taken from: Ibrahim, K. M., Kabuye, C. H. S. 1988. An illustrated manual of Kenya grasses.
Rome, FAO. 765 pp.