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Spikelets 8–20-flowered, laterally compressed, breaking up between the florets at maturity; florets glabrous, hermaphrodite, all alike except for 2–3 at the tip of the spikelet, which are smaller but otherwise resemble the rest; lemmas 5(–7)-nerved, awnless; stamens 3.
Glumes slightly unequal, both shorter than the following floret, 3-(rarely 5) nerved, subpersistent, chartaceous, the middle nerve sometimes excurrent into a short awn, keeled, glabrous and smooth except for the keels which are scaberulous towards the apex.
Caryopsis elliptic in outline, regularly triangular in cross-section, subacute at both ends, black when mature; embryo ± 1/3 the length of the caryopsis, invisible; hilum very minute, basal.
Paleas almost as long as the corresponding lemmas, sometime protruding, 2-keeled, membranous, apex truncate or shortly emarginate, the inflexed margins very narrow.
Spikelets pedicelled, solitary, 8-18(31)-flowered, laterally compressed, loosely imbricate.
Florets all fertile and hermaphrodite except for the terminal one which is usually reduced.
Rhachilla easily disarticulating above the glumes and between the florets.
Inflorescences open or (rarely) somewhat contracted panicles.
Lodicules very minute, cuneate, apex obliquely truncate.
The keels scabrous or shortly and stiffly ciliolate.
Ovary glabrous; styles distinct; stigmas plumose.
Leaf-laminae with tessellate nervation.
Annual or short lived perennial.
Ligule a short membrane.
Stamens 2 or 3.
