Tufted, rhizomatous or stoloniferous annuals or perennials. Leaf-blades usually flat; ligule a fringed membrane. Inflorescence a one-sided or distichously branched panicle; branches terminated by a bristle. Spikelets shortly pedicellate or subsessile, 2-flowered, but the lower male or barren; glumes 2, falling with the spikelet, the lower shorter than the upper; lower lemma equal to upper glume, with or without palea, not becoming indurated; upper lemma bisexual, both it and its palea becoming indurated.