The species is a perennial bunch grass, with culms erect and 30–150 cm (12–59 in) long. Leaves are mostly basal, with flat, convolute blades 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in) long and 2–5 mm wide. The inflorescence is a 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in) long panicle of spikelets, each containing one sterile and one fertile flower. The lemma carries a 25–50 mm long awn.[5]
Like all Loudetia species, L. simplex uses C4 photosynthesis and occurs in open habitats, often on poor shallow soils. It is a significant weed species.[6]
In Madagascar, it is one of the dominant grassland species in the central high plateaus,[7] where it occurs on leached, poorly drained soils and is quite fire-resistant. In Malagasy, it is known locally as horona, horo, berambo, kilailay, kirodrotra, or felika. It has only medium value as pasture grass.[8]
^Moat, J.; Smith, P. (2007). Atlas of the vegetation of Madagascar. Richmond, Surrey: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN9781842461983.
^Kull, C.A. (2003). "Fire and the management of highland vegetation". In Goodman, S.M.; Benstead, J.P. (eds.). The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago, London: The University of Chicago Press. pp. 153–157. ISBN978-0226303079.
