Greek elumos – a kind of grain.
Tufted perennial with hollow internodes. Leaves not usually basally aggregated, flat, rolled in bud. Ligule truncated, auricles prominent, caliper-like. Inflorescence a simple spike, spatheless. Spikelets laterally flattened. Glumes 2, more or or less equal, lower glume 3-7 nerved, upper glume 3-7 nerved. Lemma entire, pointed, shortly pointed to long-awned, 5 nerved. Palea 2-nerved, 2-keeled, usually rough or hairy.
Seed.
Tufted perennials with characteristic nodding inflorescences with stalkless spikelets.
About 150 species widespread in both Hemispheres.
Source: (2005). Poaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
