Stipa chitralensis Bor

A very distinctive species with a compact silvery inflorescence. Known only from the type.

Tufted rhizomatous perennial up to 40 cm high. Leaf-blades involute or ± flat, 2.5-6 mm wide when flattened, glabrous; ligule 1.5 mm long. Panicle narrow, congested, 8-10 cm long, the branches very short. Glumes unequal, oblong, acute, the lower 7-8 mm long, 3-nerved, the upper 8.5-9.5 mm long, 5-nerved; lemma narrowly elliptic, 9-10 mm long (including callus), pilose with hairs c. 2 mm long, conspicuously 2-toothed at the tip, ,the teeth c.2.5 mm long; callus conical, blunt, 0.5 mm long. Awn unigeniculate, indistinctly articulated at the base, faintly spirally twisted below, 16-20 mm long, scaberulous throughout.

Distribution: Pakistan (N.W.F.P.), endemic.

Fl. Per.: May.