Elymus barystachyus L. B. Cai

Culms laxly tufted or solitary, usually geniculate at base, 50–80 cm tall, 2.5–4.5 mm in diam., 3–5-noded. Leaf sheath glabrous; ligule ca. 1 mm, membranous; leaf blade 7–22 × 0.4–0.8 cm, both surfaces glabrous. Spike 8–18 × 0.5–0.9 cm; rachis margin ciliate. Spikelets usually 2 per node, or 1 per node proximally and distally in spike, purplish, 10–18 mm, with 4–6 florets. Glumes linear-lanceolate, 7–10 mm, 4–7-veined, hirsutulous along veins, apex acuminate or with point ca. 1.5 mm. Lemma oblong-lanceolate, scabrous proximally, densely pubescent distally and at margin, apex acute or with short awn 1–2 mm; first lemma 7–8 mm. Palea equaling lemma, ciliate along keels, otherwise glabrous. Anthers black or tinged yellowish, ca. 2 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun–Aug.

Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang.

* Forests; 2700–3200 m.