Schismus P.Beauv.

Annuals or infrequently weakly perennials, low decumbent or rarely caespitose, bisexual. Leaves: ligule a fringe of hairs; blade expanded. Inflorescences paniculate. Spikelets pedicellate, slightly laterally compressed, with 4–10 bisexual florets, falling entire or disarticulating above glumes (when disarticulating above glumes, upper florets falling singly, then lower florets, glumes and pedicel falling together); rachilla prolonged beyond bisexual florets with incomplete florets. Glumes 2, ±equal, long relative to adjacent lemmas, awnless; lower glume 5–7-nerved; upper glume 3–7-nerved. Lemma 2-lobed, awnless, mucronate or 1-awned, rounded on back, 7–9-nerved; awn from central sinus, non-geniculate, entered by 1 nerve. Palea relatively long. Hilum short.