J. Bot. 69: 54. (1931); Gram. Agr. trop. 1: 238 (1962); Gen. Gram.: 278 (1986).- Type-species: Panicum nodosum Kunth
Synonyms:
Hemigymnia Stapf, FTA 9: 741 (1920), not Griffith (1842).
Description:
* Perennials. Culms tufted or rambling and stoloniferous. Leaves lanceolate; ligule membranous, truncate, ciliolate, or sometimes obscure.
* Inflorescence an open panicle, primary branches spaced along the central axis, spikelets borne on short secondary branches, singly or in appressed secondary racemelets.
_ Spikelets with similar subequal herbaceous glumes, 1/2–2/3 spikelet length, 3–5(–7)-veined. Lower floret herbaceous, sterile or staminate, its lemma as long as the spikelet, 7–9-veined; upper lemma as long as the spikelet, coriaceous to cartilaginous, flattened on the back, smooth or rugulose, margins narrow, hyaline, incurved upward. Genus of the Old World with several species.