Tufted annual; culms 5-25 cm high. Leaf-blades linear, acuminate, 1-5 cm long, 0.3-0.5 mm wide (up to 2 mm when flat). Panicle contracted, dense, 1-4 cm long, 0.5-1 cm wide. Spikelets 5-6 mm long, 5-10-flowered; glumes lanceolate, acute, the lower 5-7-nerved, 4-5 mm long, the upper 5-nerved, 4-6 mm long; lowest lemma 9-nerved, 1.8-2.5 mm long, broady ovate, 2-lobed, the lobes broadly triangular, 0.2-0.4 mm long; palea 1.6-2.6 mm long, spathulate, narrowly obtuse, reaching at least to the middle of the lemma lobes, often as long as or longer than the lemma; anthers 0.2-0.4 mm long. Grain obovoid, 1 mm long.

Fl. & Fr. Per.: January-May.

Type: Spain, Loefling.

Distribution: Pakistan (Punjab & N.W.F.P.); Mediterranean region to Arabia; South and South West Africa.

Considerable difficulty may be experienced in distinguishing between the two species of Schismus. No single character will work, but the combination of characters given in the key should be sufficient guidance. It is important that the lowest floret of a spikelet should be studied as shapes and relative dimensions change with succeeding florets.