Dactyloctenium

Tufted annuals or perennials, stems often prostrate. Leaf-blades flat; ligules membranous, often ciliate. Inflorescence a compact umbel of spikes, the spikelets crowded in two rows along one side of the rachis and spreading stiffly from it, spikes falling intact and separately at maturity. Spikelets 3–5-flowered, laterally compressed; glumes 2, 1-nerved, subequal, persistent; lemma 3-nerved, papery, keeled dorsally and somewhat recurved toward apex.