Rhytachne Desv. ex Ham.

Perennials or sometimes annuals. Leaf-blades narrow, often filiform; ligule short, membranous; basal sheaths very rarely compressed. Inflorescence a single terminal raceme; racemes cylindrical; internodes clavate, as long as or longer than the sessile spikelet. Sessile spikelet convex on the back; callus truncate, with prominent central peg; lower glume crustaceous, very rarely winged, sharply inflexed in the lower half, smooth or rugose, usually glabrous; upper glume sometimes awned; lower floret ♂; upper lemma entire and awnless. Caryopsis oblong, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelet almost as long as the sessile or more often much reduced, sometimes awned; pedicel curved and subfoliaceous.