Annuals or perennials. Inflorescence of racemes along a central axis; spikelets single and adaxial, paired or rarely in fascicles.
Spikelets plump, obtuse to acute; sometimes the lowest
internode elongated and then forming a short stipe (B.
nigropedata) lower glume usually shorter than spikelet;
lower lemma awnless (rarely in B. nigropedata and B.
serrata with a short awn point); upper lemma as long as
the spikelet, coriaceous to crustaceous; apex acute,
obtuse or rarely mucronulate. Worldwide: c. 100 species in warm regions, mainly Africa Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated taxon. Insects associated with this genus: |
No image of a cultivated species but there is an image of a native or naturalised species |