Often stout, strongly rhizomatous perennials. Leaf-sheath firm, open. Ligule a dense fringe of fine straight hairs. Leaf-blade coriaceous, flat or involute. Inflorescence of 2-many congested persistent spike-like racemes arranged racemosely along an axis; spikes bearing spikelets in 2 rows on one side of 3-angled rachis, rachis usually prolonged beyond spikelets. Spikelets 1-flowered, very rarely 2-flowered, strongly laterally compressed, falling entire with glumes; rachilla not prolonged. Glumes unequal, firmly membranous, strongly keeled, acute to shortly awned; lower shorter, 1-3-nerved, upper usually > floret, 1-nerved or obscurely 3-(6)-nerved. Lemma keeled, firmly membranous with wide margins, 1-3-nerved, sometimes with additional indistinct nerves, tapering to narrow, subacute, awnless apex. Palea ≈ lemma, 2-nerved. Lodicules 0, or sometimes 2. Stamens 3. Caryopsis fusiform; embryo large; hilum elliptic. Fig. 19.

Perennials or annuals, tufted or creeping. Ligule a short-ciliate rim. Leaf-blade narrow, flat or convolute, sometimes setaceous. Culm usually erect. Inflorescence an open or contracted, sometimes spiciform panicle. Spikelets often small, fusiform, mostly glabrous, 1-flowered, usually olivaceous or olive-grey; disarticulation above glumes; rachilla rarely prolonged. Glumes equal or unequal, deciduous or persistent, 1-nerved or nerveless, thinly membranous, seldom keeled. Lemma ≥ glumes, rounded, 1-3-nerved, thinly membranous, soft, awnless. Palea ≤ lemma, of similar texture and colour to lemma, 2-keeled, apex obtuse, truncate, emarginate, or minutely bilobed. Lodicules hyaline, truncate. Callus 0. Stamens 2-3. Ovary often globose; styles free, short; stigmas plumose. Caryopsis with loose pericarp, globose to ellipsoid, rounded or truncate; embryo c. ½ length of caryopsis or less; hilum basal, punctiform.