Annuals, caespitose, bisexual. Culm internodes solid. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Inflorescences single spikes, cylindrical, distichous, with spikelets embedded in alternate notches of axis, with spikelets either all bisexual or basal spikelets sometimes sterile; axis hard, disarticulating at joints and falling with entire spikelet. Bisexual spikelets dorsiventrally compressed, with flat side to axis, with 1 bisexual floret; rachilla extension terminating at a very reduced rudimentary floret or naked; glumes awnless; lower glume present only in terminal spikelet; upper glume initially closing hollow in axis but often gaping at maturity, leathery, with (3) 5 (7) raised nerves; callus absent; lemma awnless, not keeled, 3 (–5)-nerved, hyaline or thinly membranous. Lodicules membranous. Stamens 1–3. Stigmas white. Caryopsis not grooved; hilum ovate to elliptic, short, about 0.6 mm long; embryo small.
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