Tufted annuals. Leaves with blades expanded at maturity; ligule an unfringed membrane. Inflorescence a narrow, interrupted spike-like panicle with spikelets crowded on reduced branches; sterile spikelets often present at base of spikelet clusters; uppermost clusters often contiguous. Spikelets laterally compressed, 2–6-flowered, disarticulating between florets at maturity and glumes persisting; glumes 2, equal or nearly so, acute to shortly mucronate, keeled, 1-nerved; lemma elliptic, 3-nerved, the body continuous with a terminal awn of about the same length; palea cuneate, about as long as body of lemma, broadly trifid at apex, the lateral wings partly embracing the floret above.
2 species (depending on circumscription) from tropical and warm-termperate Africa, Asia and Australia; 1 species in Australia.
