Dignathia gracilis Stapf

Loosely tufted annual; culms mostly 20–50 cm. high, occasionally less, wiry, erect.. Leaf-blades 2–9 cm. long, 2–4 mm. wide.. Inflorescence 3–8 cm. long, exserted from the sheath, the clusters contiguous to approximate; clusters 3–6 mm. long, comprising (1–)2 fertile spikelets and a reduced terminal spikelet of 2 gaping sterile glumes.. Spikelets suborbicular with rostrate tip, 2–3.5 mm. long; glumes scaberulous, ± spinously ciliolate on keel and margins; lower glume crescent-shaped, shorter than the spikelet; upper glume with strongly gibbous body 1.5–2 mm. long, drawn out into a stiff pointed beak above.. Fig. 110 p. 405.