A brief review of the three important species of theDurra group,viz.,S. durra, S. cernuum andS. subglabrescens, with special reference to the Indian and particularly to Madras varieties, is given.S. rigidum, also included in this group but which does not fit in with this, is omitted. Detailed descriptions and distinguishing characteristics of the varieties of these three species cultivated in the Madras Presidency are provided. A short review of the important characters met with in this group has been added at the end with special reference to panicle shape and glume wrinkling. Figs. 1–6 illustrate the different types of panicles, panicle branches, spikelets, grain shapes, glume wrinkling and node hairiness in the different species.