Coix lacryma-jobi L.

Robust annual herbs. Culms 30-120 cm high, tufted; nodes glabrous. Leaves 10-45 x 1-2.5 cm, linear-oblong, cordate at base, margin scaberulous, acuminate at apex; sheaths to 6 cm long, glabrous; ligules ovate, membranous. Inflorescence terminal and axillary peduncled, false spikes,3-8 cm long, consisting of one female spikelet completely enclosed in a globose or ovoid basal cupule like bract. Male spikelets 2 or 3, exerted from the mouth of cupule, 5-12 x 2-4 mm, elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate. Lower glume 4-8 x 2-4 mm, ovate-elliptic, 2-keeled, winged on keels. Upper glume 3-7 x 2-3 mm, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate. Lower floret male. Upper floret male or barren. First lemma 4-8 x 1.5-2.5 mm, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, hyaline. Palea 4-8 x 1.5-2.5 mm, elliptic-lanceolate or lanceolate, 2-keeled. Stamens 3, anthers 3-4 mm long. Second lemma 4-7 x 1-2 mm, elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate; hyaline. Palea 4-7 x 1-1.5 mm, elliptic-lanceolate, hyaline. Stamens 3; anthers 3-5 mm long. Female spikelets 4-14 mm long, globose or ovoid, bony, shining white or grey. Lower glume ovate-oblong, acute. Upper glume ovate. Lower floret female or barren. Upper floret female. Caryopsis 5-7 mm, subglobose, furrowed in the middle.