Microlaena

Perennial, weakly tufted, sometimes rhizomatous. Leafblade linear to lanceolate, usually flat; ligule a fringed to unfringed membrane. Inflorescence a single raceme or open panicle; spikelets pedicelled. Spikelet laterally compressed, disarticulating above glumes; glumes unequal, similar, reduced to minute lips, membranous, awnless, separated from florets by stipe. Florets 3, lower 2 florets sterile, reduced to lemmas; lemma long-acuminate, tapering into a long slender awn, keeled, 5-7-nerved; palea 0; upper floret bisexual, lemma firmer in texture than glumes, 5-7-nerved, mucronate, awned or awnless; awn straight, shorter than body of lemma; callus hairy; palea usually present, membranous. Lodicules 2, membranous, glabrous. Stamens 2-6. Ovary glabrous. Caryopsis ellipsoid. x = 10.