Perennials. Leaf-sheath rounded. Ligule membranous. Leaf-blade flat, convolute when young. Panicle moderately dense. Spikelets somewhat laterally compressed, usually 2-flowered, the two florets falling together at maturity; lower floret ♂ with long, geniculate awn from lower ⅓ of lemma, upper floret ☿ or ♀ with ± straight awn from upper ⅓ of lemma or awnless, rarely both florets ☿ and long-awned; rachilla prolonged. Glumes persistent, hyaline, unequal, sometimes keeled, the lower shorter. Lemma submembranous. Palea hyaline, slightly < lemma, 2-keeled. Lodicules distally membranous, lanceolate, acute, glabrous. Callus hairy. Ovary apex hairy; styles free. Caryopsis ± dorsiventrally compressed, not grooved; embryo small; hilum linear; endosperm solid.