Kengyilia alatavica (Drobow) J. L. Yang, C. Yen & B. R. Baum

Culms densely tufted, erect or geniculate at base, 25–70 cm tall, smooth and glabrous, puberulent at nodes, or densely retrorsely hairy throughout. Leaf sheath smooth and glabrous or densely pubescent; leaf blade glaucous, 5–10 × 0.3–0.5 cm, abaxial surface smooth and glabrous or pubescent, adaxial surface scabrous (together with margin) or puberulent. Spike erect, dense, 5–8 × 0.8–1.1 cm; rachis puberulent to densely pubescent, margin scabrous or hispidulous. Spikelets green or purplish green, 10–16 × 5–7 mm, with 3–6 florets. Glumes lanceolate, 7–11 × ca. 2.5 mm, 5-veined, glabrous, or scabrous distally, margin broadly membranous. Lemma lanceolate, 8–9 mm, densely hispidulous or pubescent; awn 2–5 mm. Palea equaling or slightly longer than lemma, ciliate along keels distally. Lodicules shortly broadly triangular or long narrowly triangular. Anthers yellow, 2–3 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep.

Gansu, Xinjiang, Xizang [Mongolia, Russia].

Meadows on mountain slopes, dry steppes; 1500–3000 m.