All three subspecies of
Eremopoa altaica listed by Tzvelev are represented in Pakistan, but only one of them is at all common. Subsp.
oxyglumis (Boils.) Tzvelev has longer anthers (0.6-1 mm) and hairs on the lemma keel and marginal nerves. Probable examples from our area are
Toppin 239,
Stewart 27948 and
Lamond 1137. Subsp.
altaica is a small plant (rarely exceeding 15 cm) with long lemmas (3.5-4.5mm).
Giles 25 from Gilgit may be referable to this subspecies. All remain¬ing material seems to correspond to subsp.
songarica (Schrenk) Tzvelev (
Eremopoa persica var.
songarica (Schrenk) Bor, Grasses Burma Ceyl. Ind. Pak. 532. 1960; Bor in Rech.f., Fl. Iran. 70:49. 1970)
1800-3000 m.