Andropogoneae is a tribe of grasses (family Poaceae

Poaceae

The Poaceae is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of flowering plants. Members of this family are commonly called grasses, although the term "grass" is also applied to plants that are not in the Poaceae lineage, including the rushes and sedges...

) widespread throughout tropical and temperate regions. They use C4 carbon fixation

C4 carbon fixation

C4 carbon fixation is one of three biochemical mechanisms, along with and CAM photosynthesis, used in carbon fixation. It is named for the 4-carbon molecule present in the first product of carbon fixation in these plants, in contrast to the 3-carbon molecule products in plants. fixation is an...

 physiology. All members of this tribe specifically utilize the NADP-Malic Enzyme subtype of C4 Photosynthesis. This tribe is commonly referred to as the sorghum tribe. Genera belonging to this tribe include: Andropogon

Andropogon

Andropogon is a genus of grasses. Andropogon gerardii, big bluestem, is the official state grass of Illinois.Broomsedge is found along the eastern United States...

, Bothriochloa

Bothriochloa

Bothriochloa is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family. There are about 70 species found in tropical to warm temperate areas worldwide. They are often called beardgrass or bluestem.Species include:* Bothriochloa alta – tall beardgrass...

, Chrysopogon

Chrysopogon

Chrysopogon is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.- Selected species :* Chrysopogon aciculatus Trin.* Chrysopogon aucheri Stapf* Chrysopogon gryllus Trin...

, Coix

Coix

Coix is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.-External links:*...

, Dicanthium, Saccharum, Miscanthus

Miscanthus

Miscanthus is a genus of about 15 species of perennial grasses native to subtropical and tropical regions of Africa and southern Asia, with one species Miscanthus is a genus of about 15 species of perennial grasses native to subtropical and tropical regions of Africa and southern Asia, with one...

, Schizachyrium

Schizachyrium

Schizachyrium is a genus of grasses in the Poaceae family. The name is derived from the Greek words σχίζειν , meaning "to split," and ἄχυρον , meaning "chaff." It refers to either the glume or the toothed lemmas. Members of the genus are commonly known as bluestems.-Selected species:-External links:*...

, Sorghum

Sorghum

Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...

, Zea

Zea

Zea may refer to:*Zea , a genus of large grasses**Zea mays, commonly known as maize or corn**Zea, a Canadian short film about popcorn*Helicoverpa zea, a major agricultural pest*Zea , a 1993 alternative EP from dEUS....

, Sorghastrum

Sorghastrum

Sorghastrum is a genus of grasses in the Poaceae family. Members of the genus are commonly known as Indiangrass.-Selected species:*Sorghastrum bipennatum Pilg.*Sorghastrum elliottii Nash – Slender Indiangrass...

, Tripsacum

Tripsacum

Tripsacum is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.Species include:* T. andersonii* T. australe* T. cundinamarce* T. dactyloides* T. fasciculatum * T. floridanum...

, Heteropogon

Heteropogon

Heteropogon is a small genus of annual and perennial grasses known generally as tangleheads. They are erect tussock grasses found in tropical regions worldwide, and some species grow in warmer temperate areas as well. The inflorescences hold paired spikelets...

, Trachypogon

Trachypogon

Trachypogon is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.-External links:*...

, Imperata

Imperata

Imperata is a small genus of grasses known as satintails. Satintail grass species are perennial rhizomatous grasses native to the tropics and warm temperate regions worldwide. They bear solid, erect stems and silky inflorescences...

 and Themeda

Themeda

Themeda is a genus of plants of the family Poaceae.-Selected species:* Themeda anathera* Themeda arguens Hack.* Themeda arundinacea* Themeda avanacea* Themeda ciliata* Themeda forskalii* Themeda frondosa...

. Occurrence of this grass is abundant in the tropical savannas of India, Australia, Africa and South America. The popular farmed sugarcane

Sugarcane

Sugarcane refers to any of six to 37 species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six metres tall...

is derived from this.