Herbs, perennial. Rhizomes short, woody. Culms tufted, erect, terete or flattened. Leaves basal, distichous, usually equitant; leaf blade terete or flattened, similar to culm, sheathing. Inflorescences paniculate. Spikelets narrowly ovoid-oblong. Flowers usually (1 or)2 or 3(-5), proximal one usually functionally male, distal one bisexual. Glumes 3-8, seemingly spirally arranged, mostly distally scaberulose, basal ones empty. Perianth scales [3 or]6, shorter than nutlet, fleshy. Stamens 3; connective apex apiculate. Style slender, base persistent. Nutlet oblong or oblong-ellipsoid, ± terete, usually smooth and shiny.

About 100 or more species: mostly Australia including many undescribed species, SE Asia, Pacific islands (New Zealand); one species in China.

(Authors: Liang Songyun (梁松筠 Liang Song-jun); Jeremy J. Bruhl, Karen L. Wilson)