Graminae 

Synonyms: Brachyachne chrysolepis C.E. Hubbard

Common names:

Description

Perennial with slender culms 8-45 cm high, the base compactly covered in fibres from old leaf-sheaths. Leaf-blades mostly basal, linear or involute, 3-12 cm long and up to 1 mm wide, curved. Inflorescence a single one-sided spike 2.5-12 cm long bearing flattened imbricate spikelets. Spikelets golden brown, 1-flowered, 2.5-4.4 mm long with the subequal glumes longer than the lemma and scaberulous or ciliate at the keel; the palea long-ciliate.

Habitat

Seasonal swamp on shallow soil over rocky bed.

Altitude range

± 2300 m (as from 1400 m elsewhere).

Distribution

Kenya; also from Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Use

Of no importance for grazing.

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.