Annuals or perennials. Leaf-blades linear; ligule membranous. Inflorescence a contracted or spike-like panicle. Spikelets all alike (rarely in clusters of 6 or 7, only 1 of which is fertile), bisexual, 3-flowered with the 2 lower florets reduced, disarticulating above the glumes at maturity; glumes subequal, usually glabrous, papery, boat-shaped, keeled, the keel often broadened into a wing, enclosing the florets; sterile florets up to about half as long as the fertile lemma, subulate or chaffy, usually pubescent, sometimes one or both reduced to a fleshy scale at the base of the fertile floret; fertile lemma glabrous or pubescent, often shiny, laterally compressed, indurated, awnless; stamens 3.