E. crus-galli is distinguished by its untidy racemes of acuminate or awned spikelets. It is a polymorphic weed of warm temperate and subtropical regions, whose numerous intergrading races are apparently the consequence of cleistogamous self-pollination. There is much uncertainty as to which segregates are worth recognising as species (see, for example, Gould, Fairbrothers & Ali in Amer. Midi. Nat. 87: 36–59 (1972) for N. America; and Vickery in Flora New South Wales, Gram.: 189–211 (1975) for Australia).The specimens cited are unusual in that the lower lemma is indurated. Such specimens are found occasionally among populations of E. crus-galli (notably in India), and have been separated as E. glabrescens. E. oryzoides (Ard.) Fritsch is a close relative of E. crus-galli adapted to life as a weed of rice fields, but not yet found in East Africa. It has simple racemes, spikelets 3.8–6.5 mm. long and upper lemma 3.5–5 mm. long.