G.609. Schizachyrium Nees

Annuals or perennials. Racemes single, usually arranged in a spatheate false panicle. Sessile spikelet: callus short, obtuse; lower glume awnless, with a deep, narrow median groove or flat or convex, with several intercarinal nerves, these distinct especially near the apex; upper glume usually keeled; lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma; upper floret bisexual; lemma keeled, usually deeply 2-fid, awned. Pedicellate spikelet usually male or vestigial and smaller than the sessile spikelet.

Worldwide: c. 60 species distributed throughout the tropica

Malawi: 5 taxa.