Rhizomatous, stoloniferous or tufted perennials, culms erect, sometimes slightly compressed, to c. 90 cm high. Leaves variably pubescent; sheath purplish; blade flat to closely folded, to 30 cm long and 5 mm wide when flattened; ligule truncate, firmly membranous, c. 0.5 mm long. Inflorescence a pyramidal panicle. Spikelets 2-6-flowered; lemma 5-nerved, variably short-pubescent in the lower half, usually the hairs on the keel and margins rather longer; web absent or weakly developed on lower lemmas.