Shrubby bamboos. Rhizomes short necked, pachymorph, neck to 25(–30) cm. Culms loosely to densely unicaespitose, basally erect, apically nodding to pendulous; internodes ± terete, glabrous, smooth, hollow; nodes prominent; buds ovoid, with complete sheathing, 2 branch initials visible. Branches initially 5 in mid-culm, without promontory, central slightly dominant, deflexed; internodes distinctly flattened; branchlets becoming long pendulous with very many nodes. Culm sheaths deciduous, usually shorter than internodes, apically rounded and narrow; blade usually erect and superficially contiguous with sheath, triangular or lanceolate. Leaves usually small; blade with conspicuous transverse veins. Inflorescence partially ebracteate, semelauctant, a partially condensed racemose panicle on leafy or leafless flowering branches, basal branches initially subtended by prominent spathelike bracts, not unilateral. Spikelets robust, 1-to many flowered, followed by a sterile floret, shortly pedicellate. Glumes 2; lemma many veined, long mucronate or shortly awned. Palea usually shorter than lemma, 2-keeled, obtuse. Lodicules 3, transparent. Stamens 3; filaments free, long exserted; anthers yellow. Ovary appendage absent or inconspicuous; style 1; stigmas usually 3, plumose. New shoots late summer–early autumn, fl. summer–autumn.
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