Tufted or rhizomatous perennials. Leaf-blades flat or convolute; ligules membranous. Inflorescence a slender, often spike-like panicle. Spikelets laterally compressed, with 2–5 bisexual florets which fall separately; glumes 2, keeled, 1–5-nerved, equal or the upper longer and usually equal to the first floret, persistent; lemma lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, keeled, awned or unawned, mostly exceeding glumes; palea equal to or shorter than lemma, bifid at apex.
About 60 species, from temperate countries in both hemispheres; 1 in Australia.
Source:
Walsh, N.G. (1994). Poaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 356–627. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
