Heteropogon is a genus of annual and perennial plants in the grass family known generally as tangleheads, widespread primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.

Tangleheads are erect tussock grasses with paired spikelets. Lower pairs are equal in size (homogamous units), and upper pairs include one awned bisexual spikelet and one awnless sterile spikelet (heterogamous units).

The name of the genus is derived from the Ancient Greek words ἕτερος (héteros), meaning "different," and πώγων (pṓgōn), meaning "beard."

Species

• Heteropogon contortus (L.) P.Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. - Africa, southern Asia, southwestern Europe (Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Balkans), Mesoamerica, West Indies, tropical South America, southern United States (CA AZ NM TX FL HI), Northern Australia, various oceanic islands
• Heteropogon fischerianus Bor - Tamil Nadu
• Heteropogon melanocarpus (Elliott) Benth. - Mesoamerica, West Indies, tropical South America, southern United States (AZ TX AL FL GA NC SC), Africa, Madagascar, Yunnan, India, Oman
• Heteropogon polystachyus (Roxb.) Schult. - Tamil Nadu
• Heteropogon ritchiei (Hook.f.) Blatt. & McCann - India, Myanmar
• Heteropogon triticeus (R.Br.) Stapf ex Craib - Southeast Asia, New Guinea, Queensland, Hainan, India, Sri Lanka

Formerly included

see Agenium Dichanthium Diectomis Diheteropogon Elymandra Hyparrhenia Parahyparrhenia Trachypogon

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