Shrubby bamboo, sometimes subarborescent. Rhizomes leptomorph, with running underground stems. Culms densely pluricaespitose, erect; internodes flattened or grooved above branches, glabrous (pubescent in S. densiflora); nodes prominent. Branches (3–)5–9(–13), subequal, buds initially open at front. Culm sheaths deciduous, leathery or thickly papery; ligule conspicuous; blade recurved or reflexed. Leaves 3–7(–10) per ultimate branch; blade with distinct transverse veins. Inflorescence lateral, racemose to paniculate, fully bracteate, partially iterauctant, prophyllate; pseudospikelets subtended by a spathiform prophyll and 2 or 3 gradually enlarged bracts. Spikelets sessile, 2–7-flowered. Rachilla articulate, internodes extended (short in S. densiflora). Glumes absent to 3; lemma papery, acuminate; palea about as long as or longer than lemma, 2-keeled abaxially, apex rounded, ciliolate; lodicules 3(or 4). Stamens 3; filaments free; anthers exserted. Ovary ellipsoid, ovoid, or globose; style 1; stigmas 3, plumose. Fruit a caryopsis.
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