Eragrostis sect. Desmostachya Stapf in J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. India 7: 324. 1896 ["1897"].

Perennials, rhizomatous. Leaf blades linear or inrolled; ligule a line of hairs. Inflorescence a narrow spikelike panicle composed of numerous, short, 1-sided racemes of sessile, closely imbricate, biseriate spikelets on a long central axis. Spikelets falling entire, strongly laterally compressed, florets several to many; glumes shorter than lemmas, unequal, membranous, 1-veined, lightly keeled, acute; lemmas papery to leathery, 3-veined with lateral veins evanescent upward, glabrous, keeled, acute; palea equal to or slightly shorter than lemma. Caryopsis ovoid, trigonous.

This genus is closely related to Eragrostis, differing mainly by its inflorescence structure.

One species: from N Africa through SW Asia and India to China and continental SE Asia.

(Authors: Chen Shouliang (陈守良); Sylvia M. Phillips)