Polypogon Desf.

Annuals or perennials. Leaf-sheath rounded. Ligule membranous. Leaf-blade flat. Culm nodes glabrous. Panicle dense, ± spike-like, often lobed. Spikelets falling entire at maturity with the pedicel disarticulating a short distance below the glumes, 1-flowered, somewhat laterally compressed; rachilla not prolonged. Glumes submembranous, subequal, 1-nerved, > lemma, apically awned or awnless. Lemma membranous or hyaline, 5-nerved, truncate, irregularly denticulate at apex; awn short, caducous, subapical or dorsal, or 0. Palea hyaline, 2-keeled. Callus glabrous. Lodicules 2, small. Stamens 3. Ovary glabrous; styles short, free. Caryopsis longitudinally grooved; embryo small, c. ¼ length of caryopsis; hilum punctiform or shortly elliptic; endosperm liquid or solid.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]