Annuals or perennials, tufted or occasionally rhizomatous. Leaf-sheath often pubescent; margins connate. Ligule membranous. Leaf-blade flat. Inflorescence an open or contracted panicle, or rarely a raceme. Spikelets 2-many-flowered, ± laterally compressed; florets chasmogamous or cleistogamous; disarticulation above glumes and between lemmas. Glumes unequal or subequal, acute or shortly awned; lower 1-7-nerved, upper 3-9-nerved. Lemma rounded or keeled, 5-13-nerved, bidentate, awned from near apex; awn straight, bent or recurved, or 0. Palea usually < lemma, 2-keeled, keels ciliate or scabrid. Lodicules 2, entire, connate below, glabrous. Stamens (2)-3. Ovary with a terminal, hairy appendage and styles inserted laterally. Fig. 12.