Spikelets 2-15-fld, the rachilla disarticulating above the glumes and between the lemmas; glumes narrow, unequal, 1-3(-5)-veined, usually shorter than the lemmas; lemmas membranous or often indurate, rounded on the back, obscurely 5-veined, acute or acuminate, usually awned from the tip, sometimes awnless; upper lemmas considerably reduced; palea about equaling the lemma; stamens 3; grain obovoid-oblong; open-pollinated, tufted perennials; infl an open to contracted panicle. 200+, widespread in temp. and cool regions.

Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

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