Perennial (in ours) leafy herbs. Rhizome short and creeping or rudimentary. Leaves numerous, usually stiff with minute spine-like teeth on the margin, either densely crowded at the base, or well spaced along the stem. Ligule 0 or rudimentary. Inflorescence usually a panicle, frequently the branches ending in corymbs. Spikelets with spirally arranged glumes; usually the lowest 3-5 glumes empty, the upper bisexual and the uppermost male only.
Perianth 0 (candida) or consisting of 6 bristles with minute spine-like teeth directed towards apex. Stamens 2-3. Stigmas 2 or style subentire. Nutlet transversely wavy or smooth; base of style persistent as a conic or flattened cap. Worldwide: c. 250 species, ± cosmopolitan, but especially tropical and warm areas of S America Zimbabwe: 7 taxa. |
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