Achnatherum P.Beauv.

Perennials, usually tussocky. Leaf blades linear to setaceous, flat or rolled. Inflorescence an open or contracted panicle, sometimes almost spikelike. Spikelets with 1 floret, bisexual, disarticulating above glumes; rachilla extension absent; glumes lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, subequal or slightly unequal, a little longer than floret, membranous, 1–3(–5)-veined, apex obtuse to acuminate; callus short, obtuse or acute, not pungent, shortly bearded; lemma lanceolate, terete, usually papery, sometimes becoming somewhat indurate at maturity, 3–5-veined, pilose, margins typically approximate, sometimes overlapping, apex shortly 2-toothed, awned from between teeth; awn persistent or deciduous, straight or 1(or 2)-geniculate with twisted column, scabrid throughout or column minutely hairy; palea midline often exposed between lemma margins. Lodicules 3, lanceolate. Stamens 3, anthers often with hair tufts at apex. Stigmas 2.