Methodus: 207 (1794); Gram. Afr. Trop. 1: 278 (1962); De Wet, Amer. J. Bot. 65: 477 (1978); Gen. Gram.: 339 (1986).
Cleistachne Benth., Ic. Pl. 14, t. 1379 (1882)
Description:
* Annuals or perennials, often robust, sometimes with rhizomes; culms often robust. Leaves linear to lanceolate; ligule scarious or rarely ciliate.
* Inflorescence a large terminal panicle with elongated central axis; primary branches simple or branched, bearing short dense racemes with hairy internodes.
* Sessile spikelet dorsally compressed, its callus obtuse to pungent. Lower lemma coriaceous, convex and becoming keeled and winged towards the tip, usually hairy. Upper lemma awnless or bi-dentate and awned. Pedicelled spikelet well developed or reduced to a glume.
Type-species: Sorghum bicolor (Linn.) Moench
Tropical genus of the Old World with about 20 species; one species in Mexico. Millet (S. bicolor) is an important cereal for Africa.