Puccinellia diffusa (V. I. Krecz.) V. I. Krecz. ex Drobov

Perennial, tufted. Culms 30–50 cm tall, base thickened and tuberlike. Ligule ca. 1.5 mm; leaf blades flat or subinrolled, 4–10 cm, 0.6–1.3 mm wide, adaxial surface scabrous. Panicle effuse, 8–12 cm, branches 2–4 per node, 2–4 cm, slender, lower part smooth and naked, scabrous near spikelets. Spikelets 5–6 mm, florets 3–6; glumes obtuse, lower glume ca. 1.2 mm, upper glume ca. 2 mm; lemmas 2–2.7 mm, purple with yellow margins, base pubescent, apex obtuse; palea keels pubescent near base, scabrid on upper part; anthers 1.2–1.6 mm. Fl. May–Jul.

Qinghai, Xinjiang [Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan].

Dry river banks, sandy gravel, saline grassy places; 100–2000 m.

Atropis diffusa V. I. Kreczetowicz in Komarov, Fl. URSS 2: 760. 1934.