Annuals. Ligule membranous. Leaf-blade flat, convolute when dry. Inflorescence a panicle with short, stiff branches, or a spiciform raceme. Spikelets 5-14-flowered, laterally compressed, shortly pedicelled, disarticulating tardily, or above glumes. Glumes subequal, ± coriaceous, (1)-3-5-nerved, acute to obtuse. Lemma 5-nerved, with inner lateral nerves sometimes indistinct, glabrous, rounded, or keeled near firm, acute to obtuse, or sometimes emarginate and apiculate tip. Palea ≈ lemma, 2-keeled, apex sometimes shortly bifid. Lodicules 2, membranous, glabrous, entire or bidentate. Callus glabrous. Stamens 3. Ovary glabrous; styles free to base. Caryopsis narrowly ellipsoid-oblong; embryo small; hilum punctiform.