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.
13 species, mostly from warm, near-tropical areas; 4 species in Australia, 1 indigenous and occurring in Victoria.
Source:
Walsh, N.G. (1994). Poaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 356–627. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
