narrow, often with dark purple cross bands. Inflorescence up to 5 in.
long, narrow, consisting of few to 6 widely spaced short branches.
Spikelets crowded, often purplish, ovate or elliptic, sharply pointed,
5-7-nerved, minutely hairy between the nerves. Grain 1/16 in. long,
broad elliptic in outline.
One of the best fodder grasses.
Widely distributed in Northern and Central Sudan, including Darfur.
=E. Crus Pavonis= _Schult._ KUZ—Nuer; KAM (or AKAM) (Bahr el
Jebel)—Dinka.
Annual up to 5 ft. high, with copious plump root fibres. Stems erect, up
to ¼ in. thick, spongy below. Leaves 5-15 in. long, and up to 1¼ in.
wide, from a narrowed base, and tapering to a fine point. Inflorescence
erect, large (4-12 in. long), lance-shaped, rather feathery; lower
branches up to 4 in. long, dense. Spikelets nearly ⅛ in. long, narrow,
strongly ribbed, glumes shortly awned (⅛ in.) from the entire acute tip,
minutely hairy, purplish or dark in colour.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land).
=E. pyramidalis= _Hitchcock_ and _Chase._ UM SUF—Arab; KUZ—Nuer; KAM (or
AKAM) (Bahr el Jebel)—Dinka.
Perennial, reed-like grass up to 15 ft. high. Stems ascending from a
long thick abundantly rooting, often floating base. Leaves narrow, 1-2
ft. long by ¼-1 in. broad, flat, narrow at the base, long tapering to a
point, the lower sheathing portion coarsely bearded. Inflorescence erect
or somewhat nodding, up to over 1 ft. long, rather narrow, dense,
branches numerous, 1-6 in. long. Spikelets ovate, up to ⅙ in. long, very
crowded, often coloured blackish purple, awnless, but strongly tipped.
Axis hairy with long silky hairs.
One of the common plants of the Sudd region. A good fodder grass, the
grain is sometimes used for food.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, Niurnya, 6,500 ft.);
Kordofan Prov. (Birket Rahad); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Bongo, Tonj,
Niamniam land); Upper Nile Prov. (Tonga); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River,
Bor, Mongalla); Bahr el Jebel (Lat. 7° 25 N. and 8° 30 N.).
=E. stagnina= _P. Beauv._ HELEW—Arab.
Stout perennial grass, rising to 6 ft. from long creeping and copiously
rooting rhizomes; leaves narrow, long tapering to a fine point, up to 1½
ft. long by 1 in. wide, very rough upwards. Inflorescence up to 10 in.
long, nodding, narrow and often open, branches dense. Spikelets up to ¼
in. long, plump, tapering at both ends, awns up to 1 in. long (often
less).
An excellent fodder.
Red Sea Prov. (near Tokar); Blue Nile Prov. (Sherif); Upper White Nile
Prov. (Mouth of Sobat River); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Shambe, Meshra El
Rek & Jur Ghattas).
878 =Acroceras amplectens= _Stapf._
Annual grass, 2-2½ ft. high, stems ascending from a prostrate and
rooting base, or sometimes floating in water. Lower portion of leaf,
i.e., leaf sheath, strongly developed, prominently striate. Leaf blades
narrow, from a broad clasping rounded base, tapering to a fine point,
3-6 in. long by ¼ to ½ in. at the base. Inflorescence very long and
slender, consisting of 4-6 long, slender, branches, widely spaced.
Spikelets large (¼ in.), narrow, stalked, distantly placed, pressed to
the axis, pale in colour, bluntly pointed.
Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
879 =Oplismenus Burmannii= _P. Beauv._
Annual, up to 1½ ft. high, stems very slender, ascending from a long
prostrate rambling and rooting base. Leaf sheaths loose and very hairy,
blades hairy, lance-shaped, narrowed at the base and tapered to a fine
point, ¾-2 in. long by ⅙-½ in. wide. Inflorescence very narrow, 1-3 in.
long, consisting of 3-8 small branches ½ in. long. Spikelets crowded,
very hairy, glumes awned from the slightly notched tip, awn fine, about
½ in. long.
Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Abu Gurun’s Zariba).
880 =Panicum Meyerianum= _Nees._
Perennial, about 3 ft. high; stems rigid, hairy at the joints. Leaf
sheaths long, clasping the stem, pale green or straw coloured, blades
narrow, lance-shaped, from a contracted base, 3-8 in. by ¼-½ in.
Inflorescence an open panicle 3-6 in. long, lower branches 2-3 in. long.
Spikelets rather crowded, ovate, ⅛ in. long, often tinged with purple,
pedicels very short. Glumes very different, lower minute, upper
membranous, faintly 5 nerved, fertile valve minutely pointed.
Between Berber and Khartoum; Blue Nile Prov. (Dinder mouth); Fung Prov.
(Singa); Kordofan Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
=P. maximum= _Jacq._
Perennial, grass up to 10 ft. high, densely tufted. Stems stout, hairy
at the joints. Leaves often thinly covered with long fine hairs, narrow,
little contracted at the base. Inflorescence an erect or nodding open
panicle, from ½ to over 1½ ft. long, lower branches in a whorl, up to 1
ft. long, flowering in the upper half. Spikelets widely set, stalked, up
to ⅙ in. long, shiny light green or tinged with purple. Lower glume ¼ to
⅓ length of spikelet, upper same size as spikelet.
This grass is often called Guinea Grass, and is cultivated as a fodder
in various parts of the tropics.
Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land, Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov.
(Yei River).
=P. trichocladum= _Hack._
Perennial, rambling or climbing up to 8 ft. Stems slender, many jointed,
branched, forming a dense mass, roots often found in swamps or standing
water. Leaf sheaths long, often breaking away from the stem, blades
spreading horizontally, lance-shaped from a very contracted base, 1½-6
in. by ¼-½ in. Panicle very loose and rather scanty, 2-6 in. by 2-3 in.,
branches slender, very wavy. Spikelets widely set, often long stalked,
up to ⅛ in. Lower glume very small.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=P. carinifolium= _Stapf._
Perennial, 4-5 ft. high. Leaves long, narrow towards the base with
recurved margins and a much projecting midrib. Inflorescence fairly
dense, rather irregular, 4-5 in. by 1-2 in., branches very slender.
Spikelets rather swollen, very small, prominently ribbed.
Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=P. fulgens= _Stapf._
Perennial, up to 2 ft. high, forming large tufts. Leaves very narrow,
2-5 in. by 1-12 to ⅛ in. Panicle erect, fairly loose and open, 2½-5 in.
by 1-1½ in. Spikelets smooth with a conspicuous bronze lustre, almost
globose, very small.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=P. Dregeanum= _Nees._
Perennial, compactly tufted, with a coat of persistent leaf bases, 1-4
ft. high. Leaves very narrow, up to 9 in. long by 1/12 to 1/5 in. wide,
tapering to a slender point. Panicle fairly dense, brush-like, 3-7 in.
by 1½-3 in. Spikelets about ⅛ in. long, purplish, more or less gaping.
Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=P. aphanoneurum= _Stapf._
Perennial, densely tufted, 4-7 ft. high, stems stout, reed-like. Leaves
½ to 1½ ft. by ⅙-½ in., narrow from an equally wide base, tapering.
Panicle rather loose, ½ to over 1 ft. by 2-5 in., irregularly branched
at the base. Spikelets widely gaping; tinged with purple, upper glume
faintly 5-nerved.
Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Bongo land, Dukutu, River Roah).
=P. callosum= _Hochst._
Annual, up to 3 ft. high, stems slender. Leaves narrow from an
attenuated base, up to over 1½ ft. by ¼-5/12 in., often finely hairy.
Panicles broom-like, open, loose and narrow, often over 1 ft. long.
Spikelets large, elliptic, ¼ in. long, on long fine stalks up to ¾ in.
long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat Metamma).
=P. sociale= _Stapf._
A delicate annual, up to almost 1 ft. high, growing in dense stands,
finely hairy all over. Leaves erect, 1-1½ in. by ⅛-⅙ in., yellowish
green. Panicles 2-3 in. by 1½ in., widely open. Spikelets ⅛ in. long,
upper floret dark chestnut brown to black, finely polished, forming a
false fruit.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma).
=P. atrosanguineum= _Hochst._
A tufted annual grass from a few inches to over 1 ft. high, hairy all
over except the panicle. Leaves lance-shaped from a rounded base, 1-4
in. by ⅙-⅓ in. Panicle very open and spreading, 3-6 in. by 1½-3 in.
Spikelets elliptic, minutely pointed, purple.
Nubian Desert; Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=P. haplocaulos= _Pilger._
Annual about 1 ft. high, growing in close stands. Stems very slender.
Leaves very narrow and pointed. Panicles reduced to a common axis and
1-3 widely spaced branches each bearing 1-4 spikelets. Spikelets 1/9 in.
long, striate.
Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=P. turgidum= _Forsk._ TUMAM & ABU RUKBA—Arab; SHUSH—Hadendowa.
Bushy grass up to 4 ft. high with stout roots and hard rigid stems, and
having secondary shoots springing from the joints. Leaves very variable
in size, tapering to a fine point, those supporting branches soon drying
and becoming straw coloured. Panicles variable in size, often scanty,
branches slender, spikelets about ⅙ in. long, ovoid, tapering; glumes
membranous, ribbed.
Widely distributed in North and Central Sudan and Darfur.
=P. repens= _Linn._
Perennial up to 2 (rarely 4 ft.) high; rhizome long, creeping stem very
leafy, many jointed; leaves very narrow, sharply pointed, hairy at the
base, folded inwards. Panicle 3-8 in. long, loose; branches 2-6 in.
long. Spikelets 1/12-1/10 in. Said to be good fodder plant and also
useful as a sandbinder.
Bahr el Jebel (Hillet el Nuer).
=P. porphyrrhizos= _Steud._
Perennial up to over 3 ft. high, densely tufted on a short rhizome.
Leaves narrow, long tapering to a hard slender point. Panicles large and
loose, slender, spikelets 1/10-1/6 in. long, with a long slender point,
green or often tinged with purple.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat Metamma); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).
=P. coloratum= _Linn._
Tufted perennial grass up to 4 ft. high. Stems stout, often shortly
creeping at the base before ascending. Leaves 3-12 in. by ¼-½ in.,
tapering. Panicle open, composed of long slender branches, bearing
scattered spikelets on slender pedicels. Spikelets small 1/12-1/8 in.,
moderately gaping, green or tinged with purple.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
=P. hygrocharis= _Steud._
Annual tufted grass up to 2 ft. high. Stems slender, soft, bent at the
joints, leafy. Leaves narrow from a rounded base, shortly tapering to a
rather hard point. Panicles 3-5 in. long, rather loose and sometimes
spreading, branches fairly stout, up to 3 in. long, wavy. Spikelets
acutely pointed, tips cut off square, green, stalked.
Found in dried up rain pools.
Kordofan (Abu Gerad).
881 =Sacciolepis ciliocincta= _Stapf._
Annual, growing in colonies up to 1½ ft. high, stems very erect, spongy
in texture, about ⅙ in. diameter. Leaf blades stiff and erect, mostly
overtopping the inflorescence, linear from a narrowed base, tapering to
a hard point. Inflorescence erect, straight, rather cylindric, about 1
in. long, very compact, bearded, attenuated downwards, branches fused
with the axis against which the pedicels are crowded; spikelets
laterally compressed, upper glume 7-nerved with a line of hairs along
each side of the keel and margins.
Bahr el Ghazal (Jur Ghattas).
=S. micrococca= _Mez._
Annual, growing in tufts or clumps up to 2½ ft. high, stems very slender
from a stouter base, leaf blades very narrow, folded, almost bristle-
like, up to 6 in. long. Inflorescence long, narrow, cylindric, 2½-5 in.
long by 1/12-1/8 in. broad, dense. Spikelets crowded, swollen, 1/24 in.
long, olive green or brown, glumes nerved.
Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=S. interrupta= _Stapf._
Perennial from a short, stout, creeping rhizome, up to 5 ft. high, stems
at the base copiously rooted from the nodes, sheathed all along. Leaves
narrow, tapering, up to 12 in. long by ¼-½ in. wide, flat, soft,
somewhat plump. Inflorescence at first sheathed by leaves, finally
protruding, from the few inches to over 1 ft. by ¼-⅓ in., dense.
Spikelets slightly compressed, not gaping, up to over ⅛ in., yellowish-
green, with darker or brownish tips.
Upper White Nile (Tonga); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla
Prov. (Yei River).
=S. typhura= _Stapf._
Perennial, tufted from a short rhizome, up to 3 ft. high. Stems erect,
slender, leaves narrow, 6-12 in. by 1/8-5/12 in. Inflorescence erect,
5-10 in. by ¼ in., very dense. Spikelets more or less hairy, very dark
in colour.
Bahr el Ghazal. (Jur Agada).
882 =Setaria verticillata= _P. Beauv._ LUSEIG—Arab.
Annual grass with erect leafy stems, more or less branched and varying
in height from 1-5 ft. Leaves are thin, flat, sparsely hairy, base
usually narrowed, tapering to a fine point, 4-10 in. long and ¼-¾ in.
broad. The inflorescence is cylindric, coarsely bristly, spikelets
having more than one bristle, the barbs of which are reversed making
inflorescence rough upwards.
Red Sea Prov. (Tokar); Berber Prov.; Fung Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Zalingei
3,100 ft.).
=S. ambigua= _Stapf._
Annual grass 1-2 ft. high, with rather weak jointed stem. Leaves long
and narrow, 12 in. by ⅓ in., base narrowed. The inflorescence is
cylindric, but is interrupted, forming two or more lobes. The spikelets
are greenish with 3 or more short bristles which are smooth to the feel
upwards, i.e., barbs erect. Grain tightly enclosed in hardened glume,
about 1/6 in. long.
Khartoum Prov.
=S. viridis= _P. Beauv._
Annual grass 1-2 ft. high with slender leafy stems. Leaves very finely
pointed from a rounded base, up to 4 in. long by ⅓ in. Inflorescence
cylindric, up to 2 in. long, not lobed, bristles spreading, 3 or more to
a spikelet, with erect barbs, spikelets greenish, grain elliptic, 1/12
in. long.
Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.
=S. rubiginosa= _Miq._
Annual grass of variable character, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves narrow,
finely pointed, rounded at the base. Inflorescence dense, cylindric,
narrow, yellow. Bristles more than one to spikelet, smooth to touch
upwards. Grain large, up to ⅛ in., rather swollen.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan
Prov. (Khor Abu Habl); White Nile Prov. (Meshra el Zeraf); Bahr el
Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
=S. lasiothyrsa= _Stapf._
Annual grass up to 2 ft. high with slender erect stems; coarsely hairy
all over. Leaves long and narrow, up to 1 ft. by ⅓ in. Inflorescence up
to 12 in. long, loose, with many fine, hairy branches up to 2½ in. long.
Spikelets with one bristle, glumes flushed with purple and yellow.
Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Bongo land, Mashir Hills).
=S. anceps= _Stapf._ =var. sericea.=
Perennial up to 3 ft. high, densely tufted on a short rhizome. Basal
leaves overlapping and arranged fan-like, upper leaves narrow, up to 6
in. long and ¼ in. wide, tapering, tightly folded. Inflorescence a
continuous and very dense cylindrical false spike (somewhat resembling a
bottle brush) 4-10 in. long. Bristles more than one at the base of the
spikelet, fine, silky, bright yellow in colour. Spikelets clustered 1/12
in. long.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=S. aurea= _A. Braun._ SANGALA (N. Kordn); DANAB EL KELB (M. el Zeraf);
HALFA (Fung and Kordn)—Arab; ALLOK (M. el Zeraf)—Dinka.
Strong-growing erect grass about 3 ft. high, with slender stems from a
short rhizome which is covered with the remains of old scales and
sheaths. Leaves long, narrow, tapering ½-1½ in. by ⅛-⅓ in., usually
flat. Inflorescence erect, straight, up to 1 ft. long. Bristles more
than one at the base of each spikelet, and exceeding spikelet by 1/12
in., yellowish to bright orange or reddish in colour. Spikelets
clustered, ⅛ in. long. A good fodder grass.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land Kaffuluku);
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=S. Schweinfurthii= _Herrm._
Perennial, stems stiffly erect, up to 4 ft. high; leaves very narrow
from a narrowed base, up to over 2 ft. by ¼ in., tapering to a long
bristle-like point, densely hairy at the base with white hairs.
Inflorescence an erect, very dense continuous cylindrical false spike
5-6 in. by ¼ in. inclusive of the bristles. Bristles more than one (up
to 12) to the spikelet, reddish yellow. Spikelets solitary, or rarely a
cluster of 2.
Bahr el Ghazal (Jur Ghattas).
=S. lancea= _Stapf._
Leafy annual up to 2 ft. high, stems slender, rather weak and flattened.
Leaves tapering at both ends, 5-10 in. by ½-1 in. (at broadest part),
thin, flat, plaited downwards fan-fashion. Inflorescence loose, panicle-
like, 4-6 in. long, axis hairy. Spikelets with one slender bristle at
base, elliptic, about ⅛ in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
=S. sp. (sp. nov.?).=
Stout annual grass about 3 ft. high, stems slender, erect, tapering both
ways, folded into ridges downwards, up to 12 in. long by ½ in. wide.
Inflorescence open, panicle-like, up to 10 in. long, branches not hairy.
Spikelets with one slender bristle from the base, both ultimately
purplish or dark in colour, or at least flushed with purple.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=S. sulcata= _Raddi._
A coarse perennial from 4-12 ft. high with stout stems. Leaves large,
tapering at both ends, plaited downwards fan-wise, up to 2 ft. by 1½-2
in., hairy. Inflorescence a rather dense panicle up to 12 in. long,
branches fine, up to 3 in. long, with rough margins. Spikelets with a
single bristle at the base, about ⅛ in. long.
A good fodder grass.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr el Ghazal
Prov. (near Gumango Hill and Boddo River).
883 =Tricholæna rosea= _Nees._
Perennial or annual grass, stems loosely tufted, bent at the joints, up
to 1½ ft. high. Leaves narrow, 2-8 in. by 1/12-⅓ in. long, tapering to a
very fine point, sometimes tinged with red. Inflorescence a loose
panicle 3-6 in. long, spikelets in tufts surrounded by fine, long, silky
hairs without tubercles at the base, the whole often very pinkish in
colour, upper glume frequently shortly awned, and swollen at or below
the middle.
A good fodder grass.
Red Sea Prov. (Tokar and Erkowit); Nubia (Between Korosko and Berber);
Fung Prov. (Abdin); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land).
=T. sphacelata= _Benth._
Perennial grass up to 3 ft. high, stems creeping at the base, and
rooting from the nodes. Leaves rather scanty, long, tapering to a very
fine tip. Inflorescence a loose panicle up to 6 in. long (larger than
_T. rosea_). Spikelets (more swollen at the base than _T. rosea_) and
surrounded by long white or pink, silky hairs, those on the outer glumes
being tubercular at the base.
A good fodder grass.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=T. leucantha= _Hochst._
Perennial grass up to 2 ft. high, stems wiry, sometimes branched from
the base. Panicle up to 4 in. long, loose and somewhat scaly, often
narrow. Spikelets narrow, not basally swollen, lanceolate, generally
whitish, hairs long, white, silky, not tubercular at the base.
Red Sea Prov. (Lat. 21° N.).
=T. micrantha= _Schrad._
Tufted perennial with wiry stems, up to 2 ft. high. Panicle narrow, up
to 3 in. long. Spikelets less hairy than above species, hairs tubercular
at the base, outer glumes broader than _T. leucantha_, generally white
in colour.
Red Sea Prov. (South of Tokar).
884 =Melinis minutiflora= _P. Beauv._
Perennial grass up to 3 ft. high, ascending from a prostrate, slender,
much branched base. The whole plant is finely hairy with glandular
hairs. Leaves 2-6 in. long by 1/5 to ⅓ in. broad, fine tapering. Panicle
4-8 in. long, narrow, axis and branches very slender, branchlets and
stalks of spikelets hair-like. Spikelets 1/12 in. long, purplish, awn
fine, ½ in. long.
Recommended as an excellent fodder grass. The glandular hairs secrete an
oil which smells rather like Cummin; this is said to be repellant to the
tse-tse fly.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River District).
885 =Anthephora elegans= _Schrad._
Perennial or annual grass up to 4 ft. high, stems erect, stout, striate.
Leaves very narrow, long tapering; ligule prominent, scale-like.
Inflorescence a long, narrow, cylindrical spike. Clusters of spikelets
spiny with outer glumes hardened and scale-like, pressed against central
axis. Spikelets smooth, pale green or yellow.
A useful fodder grass.
Darfur Prov. (Kulme).
=A. Hochstetteri= _Nees._
Perennial, similar in habit to above. Rhizome very short. Spike dark
coloured, glumes narrower, tailed and hairy.
Nubia (between Korosko and Berber); Fung Prov. (opposite Zamarka).
886 =Pennisetum polystachyum= _Schult._
Erect, handsome, annual grass about 2 ft. tall. Spikes up to 6 in. long,
cylindrical, continuous, with bristles up to 1½ in. in diameter,
purplish-brown in colour. Anther tips not bearded, bristles slender, all
free to the base, the inner copiously hairy.
A good fodder grass.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas);
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=P. near P. polystachyum= _Schultes._
Similar to above, spikes smaller, more compressed.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, (9,000 ft.).
=P. pedicellatum= _Trin._
Erect, handsome, annual grass about 2½ ft. high; spikes 2-5 in. long,
cylindrical, more or less interrupted, the spikelets being in small
clusters. Bristles copious, fine, densely hairy.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); White Nile Prov. (Jebel Arashkol);
Kordofan Prov. (Obeid to Mulbes); Darfur Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bari
country).
=P. cf. P. pedicellatum= _Trin._
Similar to above, spikelets densely hairy, clusters large.
Darfur Prov. (Zalingei).
=P. Schweinfurthii= _Pilger._
Erect grass with stout stems and strongly ribbed leaves about 1 in.
broad, long tapering to a fine point. Inflorescence at first enclosed in
a sheath, finally up to 6 in. long, interrupted. Spikelets in clusters
of 3-12, glumes hard, chaffy, with blunt ends. Bristles few, rough.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
=P. pentastachyum= _Hochst._
Tall annual grass with stout stems up to 4-5 ft. high. Spike
cylindrical, up to 6 in. long (variable). Bristles feathery, not much
exceeding the spikelets, which are long stalked.
Kordofan Prov.
=P. orientale= _Rich._
Perennial 2-6 ft. high, erect or ascending from a densely tufted, often
stout, creeping rootstock. Spike 5-16 in. long, more or less lax.
Bristles much longer than the spikelet, fine, feathery, purplish.
Spikelets sessile or shortly stalked.
Red Sea Prov. (Lat. 21° N.).
=P. unisetum= _Benth._ MUGHREIB (Fung)—Arab.
Perennial, 3-12 ft. high, branched particularly from the upper joints,
leaf sheaths conspicuously long. Inflorescence very loose and feathery.
Racemes numerous, ½-2 in. long, on very slender stalks. Spikelets
single, overlapping, one bristle at the base of each, rough, not
feathery.
Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Roseires, J. Moya and Jongol’s Post);
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Red Sea Prov. (Tokar); White Nile
Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra 9,200 ft.);
Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=P. ovale= _Rupr._ GASH EL NAL—Arab.
Perennial about 2 ft. high, erect from a stoutish rootstock, lower stem
deeply channelled. Spike resembling a bottle brush, up to 4 in. long,
bristles stout, rough, up to 1 in. long, several to a spikelet.
Spikelets single on axis. Glume 5- or more nerved.
Red Sea Prov. (Suakin and Tokar); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma);
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (Hillet Abbas); Upper White
Nile Prov. (Kodok); Bahr el Jebel (Bari land).
=P. purpureum= _Schum._
Tall perennial grass up to 20 ft. high, spreading by creeping
underground stems; spikelets arranged round a densely hairy central axis
forming a compact, erect, bristly cylindrical spike which becomes bent
at maturity; spike up to 1 ft. long. Anther tips minutely hairy.
This grass is known as Elephant Grass or Napier’s Fodder. It is
occasionally cultivated for fodder. It is also used for building and
fencing.
Mongalla Prov. (near Yei River); Bahr el Jebel (Madi).
=P. typhoideum= _Rich._ DUKHN—Arab.
Annual up to 6 ft. high, stems erect, stout. Inflorescence a cylindrical
dense spike up to 8 in. long, purplish. Grain when ripe, nearly round,
yellow.
Cultivated as a food crop in most parts of the country. It is commonly
known as Bulrush Millet.
=P. mollissimum= _Hochst._ GUNGARA (Fung), EL LUINDA (Kord)—Arab.
Annual grass up to 3 ft. high, often branched above. Leaf sheaths very
hairy. Inflorescence cylindrical, up to 4 in. long, often purplish, very
dense. Bristles silky, feathery, very numerous. Axis densely hairy.
Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (El Dueim); Kordofan Prov. (Takari).