Graminae 

Synonyms: Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. var. intermedia Chiov.

Common names:

Description

Tufted perennial from a stout ascending rhizome with erect or ascending rather robust culms 60-120 cm high. Leaf-blades flat or folded, 15-50 cm long and 4-7 mm wide, pilose towards the base; the ligule a ciliolate membrane is 0.6-1 mm long. Inflorescence of 4-15 subdigitate spikes, these up to 12 cm long. Spikelets 5-10-flowered, 5-8.3 mm long, glumes 1-nerved, lemmas 2.5-3.8 mm long; grain 1.2-1.3 mm long, finely striate.

Habitat

Deciduous bushland.

Altitude range

1150-1700 m.

Distribution

Kenya; also from southern Ethiopia.

Use

Leaves are tough, but may be of value where other grazing is scarce.

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.