Poa versicolor Besser

Poa versicolor is supposed to be a xeromorphic derivate of P. palustris. It is interpreted here as a widespread complex of feebly differentiated geographic races, and it is perplexingly polymorphic. Poa versicolor s.s. is distributed in S Europe and is absent from China. All subspecies in this complicated species seem to be close allies, differing from one another by complexes of characters only and connected by intermediate populations. This complex is also connected with other species in P. sect. Stenopoa through hybridization.

Culms erect, densely tufted, (25–)30–60(–75) cm tall, nodes 2–3(–5), uppermost to 1/3 way up culm. Shoots extravaginal. Leaf sheath scabrid, usually longer than blade; blade narrowly linear, flat or inrolled, 0.5–2.5(–3) mm wide, scabrid; ligules 1–3(–7) mm. Panicle contracted, narrow to spiciform, (4.5–)6–15(–17) × 1–3(–5) cm; branches erect, 1 or 2 per node, (1/5–)1/4–1/3(–1/2) × as long as panicle. Spikelets lanceolate, (3–)3.5–6(–7) mm, green or tinged with purple, apex yellow, ± violet; florets (2–)3–5(–7); rachilla warty, rarely pilose; glumes subequal, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 3–4.2 mm; lemma oblong-lanceolate, 3.2–4 mm, keel usually shortly villous for 1/2 of length, marginal veins for 1/3, area between veins glabrous or pubescent; callus webbed to glabrous; palea glabrous or pubescent between keels. Anthers 1.3–2 mm. Fl. Jun–Aug.

Anhui, Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan [Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; SW Asia, Europe].

Meadows along forest and thicket margins, grasslands on slopes, steppes; 200–4300 m.

Poa attenuata Trinius var. versicolor (Besser) Regel.