G.631. Rhytachne Desv. ex Ham.

Perennials (in ours). Inflorescence a single, terminal, cylindric raceme; internodes clavate as long as or longer than the sessile spikelet. Sessile spikelet: callus truncate with prominent central peg; lower glume crustaceous, not winged, sharply inflexed in the lower half, smooth, muricate or rugose on the back, usually glabrous, sometimes awned; upper glume sometimes awned; lower floret male; upper lemma entire and awnless. Pedicellate spikelet almost as long as the sessile or more often much reduced, sometimes awned; pedicel curved and subfoliaceous.

Worldwide: 12 species in tropical Africa and America

Zambia: 5 taxa.