Perianth may be lacking. Inflorescence is of spikelets which are then arranged into panicles, racemes or spikes. The bractlets sometimes produce a stiff bristle termed an awn. If a floret has a perianth, it is modfied as two fleshy lodicules. Seeds are fused to teh pericarp and with endosperm present.
Placentation is basal.
Habit is as herbs or rarely woody shrubs or trees. Bases are sheathed with open, overlapping margins.