Short-lived annuals, rarely perennials; branching intravaginal. Leaf-sheath rounded. Ligule membranous. Leaf-blade flat, convolute when dry. Culm erect or decumbent, branching mainly at base. Inflorescence a narrow, usually secund panicle, usually sparsely branched, or sometimes a spiciform or compound raceme. Spikelets laterally compressed, (1)-3-12-flowered, ☿, the upper 1-2-(3) florets ♂ or Ø; disarticulation above and sometimes below glumes, and below each ☿ floret. Glumes usually very unequal; lower sometimes minute, 1-nerved, or nerves 0, upper 1-3-nerved, acute to acuminate. Lemma (3)-5-nerved, rounded or occasionally keeled, subcoriaceous, acuminate, mucronate or tapering to a long straight awn. Palea ≈ lemma, 2-keeled, apex bifid. Callus rounded or pointed, glabrous or pubescent. Lodicules 2, membranous, bilobed or bidentate, narrow or sometimes ovate. Stamens 1-(3), often small. Ovary apex glabrous or pubescent; styles free. Caryopsis linear to narrowly ellipsoid, dorsiventrally compressed, longitudinally grooved; embryo small; hilum linear, at least ¾ length of caryopsis.