Ascolepis

Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves crowded at culm base, lamina often inrolled. Inflorescence a compact head of 1-flowered spikelets surrounded by an involucre of leaves. Each spikelet consists of a spikelet bract, a perianth scale (squamella), a rhachilla (in a few species) and a flower. The squamella is often conspicuous and petal-like and sometimes encloses the flower, the nutlet and squamella falling together. Stamens 1-3(-5). Ovary with 2-3 stigmas. Nutlet minutely papillose.