Subfamily Chloridoideae
Spikelets 1-flowered, or 2-many-flowered, laterally compressed; rachilla fragile; florets ⚥, or ♂ and ♀ on dioecious plants. Glumes 2, or rarely the lower minute or suppressed. Lemma 1-3-nerved. Palea 2-nerved. Lodicules 2, cuneate, fleshy, usually truncate. Stamens (1)-3. Stigmas 2. Caryopsis ovoid, fusiform or globose; pericarp adhering to seed or becoming loose; embryo large, often ⅓-¾ length of caryopsis; hilum punctiform or occasionally elliptic. Annual or perennial herbs. Ligule very variable, membranous, or membranous with a ciliate fringe, or a line of hairs. Leaf-blade linear or convolute; Kranz leaf anatomy. Inflorescence a panicle, or of 1 to several racemes.
Tribes: 16. Chlorideae; 17. Leptureae; 18. Eragrostideae
