Relatives

Agropyron tarbagataicum Plotn. - Tarbagatai Wheatgrass.

Synonym:

Agropyron cristatum subsp. tarbagataicum (Plotn.) Tzvel.

Taxonomic position.

Family Poaceae Benth. genus Agropyron Gaertn.

Morphology and biology.

Perennial grass. Stems 50-150 cm tall, numerous, straight or slightly geniculate at base, in upper part glabrous or with sparse hairs. Radical leaves usually few of various length, sometimes missing; cauline ones slightly deflected from stem, glabrous above, flat, up to 12 mm wide. Spikes rather lax, 1.5-4 cm long, 1-2 cm wide. Spike axis covered with very short prickles. Glumes and lemmas slightly pubescent. Flowers in May - June. Anemophilous. 2n=42.

Distribution.

Endemic. Eastern Tien Shan.

Ecology.

In montane steppes and among shrubberies up to middle mountain zone.

Use and economic value.

Forage grass.

References:

Tzvelev NN. 1976. Grasses of the Soviet Union. Leningrad: Nauka. 788 p. (In Russian).

© L.L.Malyshev