Genus V. Hemicarpha Nees, p. 137

GENUS V. HEMICARPHA, Nees

(Greek, hemi (half) and karphos, straw or chaff)

Spikes ovoid, many flowered, sessile, one, or few
in a lateral cluster; scales very numerous, imbricated on
all sides, ovate or obovate, finally deciduous; flowers
with a very thin valve situated opposite the scale, sometimes
adherent to the achenium; stamen one; style 2-cleft;
achenium oblong, flattish, naked. -- Culms naked,
with bristle-like leaves at the base.