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Palea always longer than the solid body of the corresponding lemma, oblong or elliptic-oblong or broadly lanceolate, 2-keeled, with narrow flaps, stiffly ciliate along the keels and very often with interspersed gland-tipped hairs.
Lemma dorsally rounded, subcoriaceous, dorsally long-villous towards the base, usually scabrid, 6-lobed to nearly the middle with 5 scabrid awns between the membranous lobes; callus minute, pointed, bearded.
Florets hermaphrodite except the uppermost 1 or 2 which are usually sterile and reduced to a varying degree; rhachilla disarticulating above the glumes and (tardily) between the florets.
Glumes 2, slightly different in length, persistent, (7)9-11(-14)-nerved, membranous, acute or subobtuse, not or inconspicuously keeled.
Caryopsis oblong in outline; embryo 1/2 nearly 3/4 the length of the caryopsis; hilum minute, punctiform to oblong, sub-basal.
Lodicules 2, minute, cuneate-truncate, or often with the apex shallowly 2-lobed and with gland-tipped hairs, carnose.
Perennials or annuals of varying habit, culms decumbent or more rarely erect, usually glandular-pilose and viscous.
Spikelets shortly pedicelled to subsessile, slightly laterally compressed, 4-6(-9)-flowered.
Ovary glabrous; styles distinct, slender; stigmas plumose, laterally exserted.
Ligule reduced to a rim of stiff sericeous hairs.
Inflorescence a panicle, loose or contracted.
Stamens 3.
