Thamnocalamus

Perennial, woody, tree-like, tufted, rhizomatous; rhizomes sympodial; culms hollow. Culm leaves, including blades, +/- persistent. Foliageleaf blade expanded, strongly cross-veined forming a tessellate pattern, pseudopetiolate; ligule a fringed membrane. Inflorescence compound, of several racemes, each of 3-5 spikelets subtended by a bract, these gathered into a fascicle and partly enveloped by a spathe; lowermost spikelet sessile. Spikelet ovoid, not noticeably compressed; glumes +/- equal; lower glume shorter than upper, acute; upper glume pointed. Florets 1-several, bisexual; lemma 10-11-nerved, awnless or awned; palea with several nerves. Lodicules 3, membranous, ciliate. Stamens 3. Ovary glabrous; stigmas 3. x= 12.