Annuals or sometimes perennials. Leaf-blades flat, broadest at the base and subamplexicaul; ligule a short membranous rim. Inflorescence a delicate “bottle-brush” spike, the spikelets subsessile on the main axis. Spikelets single, all alike, linear-lanceolate, with or without a stipitate basal callus; glumes subequal, lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, membranous, 1-nerved, each tipped by a long slender awn (that of the lower glume usually the longer) tinged with violet; lemma usually a third to half as long as the spikelet, lanceolate, hyaline, 1-nerved; stamens 3. Caryopsis linear-lanceolate, almost as long as the glumes at maturity.

A genus of 10 weedy species occurring in the Old World tropics; 1 species occurs in Pakistan.

Lower Taxon

• Perotis hordeiformis Nees

Related Synonym(s):

• Perotis burmanica Gand. = Perotis hordeiformis Nees