Slender tufted perennials; rootbase pubescent or hirsute. Culms erect, 12–76 cm high, wiry, hairy on or below nodes. Leaves often glaucous; ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.1–0.5 mm long; blade flat and to 2.3 mm wide or convolute, pilose to hirsute. Panicles spiciform or loosely contracted, 6.5–20 cm long, 0.5–6 cm wide, scabrous; branches divided, entirely spikelet-bearing, sometimes pulvinate. Spikelets pedicellate, ovate, (0.8–) 1–2 mm long, 0.6–1 mm wide, usually inflated; rachilla minute and straight; florets (1–) 3–6, usually closely overlapping, with apical floret much reduced. Glumes persistent, ovate or oblong-elliptic, 0.6–1 mm long, keeled. Lemma ovate-orbicular, 0.6–0.8 mm long, obtuse, thinly membranous; lateral nerves (if present) ribbed. Palea: body oblong-elliptic; keels smooth or scaberulous; flaps narrower than body. Stamens 3 or 2; anthers c. 0.1 mm long. Grain not compressed, trigonous, narrowed to base, 0.3–0.5 mm long, blackish brown.
Home
