Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro

abyssinica: of Abyssinia (Ethiopia)

Woody perennial, growing in dense clumps. Culms 3–10 m × 5–10 cm, erect. Leaves: lamina 5–25 × 1–3 cm, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, ± glaucous with a fine pungent tip. Spikelet clusters 4–8 cm in diameter,spherical, ± confluent, spiny; bracts to 4 mm, ovate. Spikelets 15–40 mm, very narrowly lanceolate; 1(–2) upper florets bisexual, the rest reduced to lemmas; glumes ovate to oblong, lower 5–8 mm; lemmas narrowly lanceolate, the lowest 12–20 mm, ± hispid on the back, tipped with a rigid spine to 7 mm.

Locally common

Aphysoneura pigmentaria vumba (Bamboo ringlet)