Spikelets with 1 terminal hermaphrodite flower, with or without 1 or 2 male or rudimentary flowers below. Outer glumes 4, the lower 2 sometimes small, the 2 inner sometimes serving as flowering glumes for mala flowers.

First and second outer glumes smaller than the third and fourth. Flowering glumes obtuse	9. Ehrharta.
First and second outer glumes minute, many times smaller than the third and fourth. Flowering glumes acute	10. MicrolÆna.
First and second outer glumea as large as the third and fourth, both of which usually contain a male flower 11.	HierochlŒ.