Robust, coarse, annual grasses, prop-rooted, cane-like culms to 2½ m tall; of the grass savanna. Two very similar species are now recognised, both occurring across the Region, with C. afzelii particularly common in Sierra Leone. C. caudatum extends across central Africa to Sudan. Vernacular names and attributes are mixed in the records and probably are common to both species.The grasses provide good cattle and horse fodder (1, 3, 4; C. caudatum: Nigeria, 7; C. afzelii: Sierra Leone, 5), though on Fouta Djallon, Guinea, there is belief of toxicity (1, 4). Leaves of C. afzelii from Ghana have been found to contain flavonic glycosides (8).The pithy stems are commonly cut in Sierra Leone for fencing (C. afzelii: 5) and the larger canes serve as arrow-shafts (4).C. afzelii has been reported on as an indifferent source of paper-pulp (4, 6).The culms are frequently used in N Sierra Leone to make improvised bee hives in which to take swarming bees (7).