Perennials, rarely annuals, rhizomatous or tufted. Ligule membranous. Leaf-blade flat or involute. Raceme linear, loose, with rather few, shortly pedicelled spikelets borne singly and alternately on either side of non-articulating rachis. Spikelets 5-20-flowered, subterete to slightly laterally compressed; disarticulation above glumes and below each lemma. Glumes unequal, distinctly 3-9-nerved, < lemma, firmly membranous, lanceolate, rounded, obtuse to shortly awned. Lemma 7-9-nerved, herbaceous to firmly membranous, sometimes becoming coriaceous, rounded, entire, usually with a terminal awn. Palea ≥ lemma, keel ciliolate. Lodicules spathulate, ciliolate. Stamens 3. Ovary pubescent at apex; styles free. Caryopsis narrowly ellipsoid; embryo small; hilum ± linear, ≈ caryopsis. Fig. 13.