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 Greek words έτερος (éteros), meaning "different," and πώγων (pogon), meaning "beard."