Graminae 

Common names:

Description

Coarse perennial with stout surface stolons supporting dense leafy tussocks from the lower nodes, otherwise with erect culms 60-90 cm high. Leaf-blades flat, tough and usually glaucous, 3.5-28 cm long, 3-9 mm wide, margins with conspicuous tubercle-based hairs (rarely the blades are softer and pilose). Inflorescence of 2-6 ascending spikes each 2-6.5 cm long. Spikelets 4-7-flowered, 4-6.7 mm in length, the awn on the upper glume 2/3-1 and 1/4 as long as the glume; lemmas cuspidate and mucronulate; anthers 1.3-2.3 mm long; grain 0.8-1 mm long, transversely rugose.

Habitat

Open or wooded grassland over rocks or dry lake or river beds on alkaline sandy soils.

Altitude range

210-1700 m.

Distribution

Kenya; also from northern United Republic of Tanzania, Southern Sudan and Ethiopia.

Use

Leaves may be too hard to be palatable.

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.