Leaves are relatively broad, bave numerous but small stomata, and are covered with a waxy bloom. They tend to roll along the midrib under moisture stress. Thus the plant is more drought resistant than most other grains and requires less water per pound of dry matter produced. Flowers and seeds are borne in relatively dense panicles that vary from 3 to 20 inches in length and up to 3 inches in width. The panicle is enclosed in a rather strong sheath until just before the first flowers open.
Branch stems in the panicle rise in whorls and inay be few or many.
They are also variable in length, resulting in variable density of the panicle. Spikelets are partially enclosed in two rather short, thick glumes. Each spikelet contains two flowers, only one of which is usuallv fertile and sets a seed. The fertile flower consists of a thin lemma and thin palea, and inside these the stamens and pistil - the latter developing into the kernel. The lemma may be awned or awnless.