Flora of New Zealand Series

Type species: H. vulgare L.

Tufted erect annuals. Leaf-sheath glabrous. Leaf-blade flat, auriculate. Inflorescence a 5-10 cm erect or nodding spike-like raceme with a tough rachis; spikelets in 2-6 rows of persistent triads all ⚥, or lateral pedicelled spikelets Ø. Spikelets 1-flowered; rachilla prolonged. Glumes linear, equal, shortly awned. Lemma glabrous, awn long, tough. Palea ≈ lemma, glabrous, folded below. Lodicules ciliate. Anthers 2-4 mm. Ovary apex coronate and hispid hairy. Caryopsis broad, stout.

Monotypic diploid genus. The one species naturalised.