Edinb. New Phil. J. 18 : 180 (1835); Gen. Gram.: 183 (1986).- Type-species: Thysanolaena agrostis Nees (= T. latifolia)
Description:
* Perennials. Culms tufted, tall, bamboolike, solid. Leaves broad, flat, many-veined, cross veinlets present, base rounded, contracted to sheath, apex acuminate; ligule scarious.
* Inflorescence a large panicle, numerous tiny spikelets on the branchlets contracted around the primary branches, immature at emergence.
* Spikelets with 2 florets and a rachilla extension, a 3rd reduced floret sometimes present, laterally compressed, falling entire with pedicel attached, subsequently disarticulating between florets; rachilla glabrous, internode very short; glumes much shorter than spikelet, hyaline, 0–1-veined, rounded on back, obtuse; lower lemma barren without palea, oblong-lanceolate, membranous, rounded on back, 1–3-veined, glabrous, narrowly acuminate; upper floret bisexual, becoming firm, its lemma lanceolate, finely 3-veined, ciliate on margins, apex acuminate-rostrate; palea small, hyaline. Stamens 2–3.
Genus with one species; tropical Asia.