Ess. Agrost. 52 (1812); Gen. Gram.:284 (1986).- Type-species: Urochloa panicoides P. Beauv.
SYNONYMS
Brachiaria Grisebach., in Ledeb., Fl. Ross. 4: 469 (1853); FWTA: 440 (1972); Gen. Gram.:283 (1986)
Panicum sect. Brachiaria Trinius, Gram. Panic. 51, 125 (1826).
Description:
* Annual, or perennial. Leaves linear to ovate-lanceolate; ligule a fringed membrane or a fringe of hairs.
* Inflorescence composed of racemes borne upon a common axis; rachis triquetrous, or ribbon-like, bearing single or paired spikelets, their lower glume abaxial. Spikelets sessile or pedicelled, single or paired, rarely in fascicles or on secondary racemes.
* Spikelets plano-convex, cuspidate to acuminate. Glumes unequal, the upper as long as spikelet. Lower lemma resembling upper glume, palea as long as and hyaline; upper lemma coriaceous, usually shorter than spikelet, smooth, striate or rugose, apex obtuse to acute sometimes mucronate, its margins enrolled and covering only the edges of the palea. Caryopsis broadly elliptic to sub rotund.
Genus of the savannas of the Old World.