Robust monoecious annuals or perennials with erect or floating culms and broad flat leaf-blades; ligule short, membranous. Inflorescences terminal and axillary, often numerous, each subtended by a globose or elongated ivory-like cupule (a modified leaf-sheath within which is a membranous prophyll) and comprising 2 racemes; female raceme enclosed by the cupule and consisting of 1 sessile spikelet accompanied by 2 barren pedicels; male raceme exserted from the mouth of the cupule, short, the spikelets imbricate and borne in pairs or threes, one pedicelled the other(s) sessile. Female spikelet: glumes orbicular, membranous with a cartilaginous beak, the upper keeled; lower floret represented by an orbicular membranous lemma; upper floret with membranous lemma and palea, the 2 stigmas exserted from the cupule. Male spikelet lanceolate to elliptic-oblong; lower glume flat on the back, 2-keeled, the keels winged above; upper glume boat-shaped; florets 2, with membranous lemma and palea, the lower as long as the spikelet, the upper shorter and sometimes barren. Caryopsis subglobose to ellipsoid.

A genus of ± 6 species in tropical Asia, 1 of them introduced throughout the tropics; 1 species occurs in Pakistan.

Lower Taxon

• Coix lacryma-jobi Linn.

Related Synonym(s):

• Coix arundinacea Lam. = Coix lacryma-jobi Linn.
• Coix lachryma Linn. = Coix lacryma-jobi Linn.