G.476. Echinochloa P. Beauv.

Annuals or perennials. Leaves: ligule present or 0. Inflorescence of racemes along a central axis; spikelets paired or in short secondary racemes, typically densely packed in 4 rows. Spikelets narrowly elliptic to suborbicular, flat on one side, gibbous on the other, often hispidulous, sometimes stipitate; apex usually cuspidate or awned; lower glume c. 1/3, the upper as long as, the spikelet, both acute or acuminate; lower lemma often stiffly awned; upper crustaceous with an incurved beak at apex; apex of upper palea briefly reflexed and slightly protruding from the lemma.

Worldwide: c. 35 species in warm and tropical regions

Malawi: 8 taxa.