Perennial. Culms tufted, erect, unbranched. Leaf sheaths longer than internodes; leaf blades linear or broadly linear, with transverse veinlets; ligule membranous. Panicle lax, open. Spikelets with 1 floret, weakly dorsally flattened at anthesis, becoming terete at maturity, floret borne upon a long slender stipe derived from floret callus, disarticulating at base of stipe; glumes usually absent, sometimes 2 minute vestiges at stipe base; lemma membranous, strongly 5–7-veined, apex acute or awned; palea slightly shorter than lemma, (2–)3(–5)-veined. Stamen 1. Caryopsis fusiform, embryo small, hilum linear, slightly shorter than caryopsis.

The species of this genus are apparently rare, but may be overlooked in moist places in the forests where they grow. The third species in the genus, Chikusichloa brachyathera Ohwi, is known only from the Ryukyu Islands. This is a shorter species with culms up to 70 cm and a shorter, 1.5–2 mm awn.

Three species: Indonesia (Sumatra) to Japan; two species in China.