Perennials, with young shoots much flattened. Leaf-sheath closed, at least below. Ligule membranous. Leaf-blade flat or involute. Inflorescence a compound panicle, of dense, secund spikelet clusters terminating erect or spreading branches; lower branches often distant and longer. Spikelets 2-6-flowered, laterally compressed, shortly pedicelled; disarticulation above glumes; rachilla prolonged. Glumes subequal, keeled; lower 1-3-nerved, upper 3-nerved. Lemma > glumes, 5-nerved, stiffly chartaceous, keel spinulose, apex mucronate to shortly awned. Palea ≈ lemma, 2-keeled, keels finely ciliate. Lodicules 2, membranous, glabrous, denticulate. Stamens 3. Ovary glabrous; styles free, very short, terminal; stigmas plumose. Caryopsis dorsiventrally compressed; embryo small, < ⅓ length of caryopsis; hilum punctiform or shortly elliptic.