Piptatherum tibeticum Roshev.

This is a variant from the Piptatherum aequiglume-munroi species group with small, broad spikelets.

Perennial, tufted from a short rhizome. Culms 30–100 cm, 2–5-noded. Leaf sheaths loose, shorter than internodes; leaf blades linear, flat or slightly rolled, 5–25 cm, 2–4 mm, scabrid; ligule ovate to long-lanceolate, 3–10 mm. Panicle open, ovate in outline, 10–20 cm; branches 3–5 per node, spreading, ca. 3 cm, scabrid, upper half with spikelets. Spikelets yellowish green, apex purplish red; glumes ovate, 3.5–5 mm, glabrous or puberulous, apex acuminate; callus glabrous; lemma ovate, 2.5–4 mm, equaling or slightly shorter than glumes, back pubescent, glabrescent along midline at maturity, infrequently always glabrous; awn caducous, 5–7 mm. Anthers ca. 1 mm, bearded at apex. Fl. and fr. Jun–Aug.

Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan.

* Field margins, grassy mountain slopes, forest fringes; 1300–3900 m.