Relatives
Agropyron fragile (Roth) Candargy - Siberian wheat grass.
Taxonomic position.
Family Poaceae Benth. Genera Agropyron Gaertn.Morphology and biology.
Perennial grass, forms dense tussocks. Stems 30-80 cm in length. Leaves are narrow, 1-4 (6) mm wide or less, often flat, hairless, less often pubescent. Spike non-crested or weakly-crested, linear, with many spikelets, (5) 7-10 (15) cm in length. Spikelets pale-green, with 4-9 flowers. Spikelet scales ovate-lanceolate, with strong keel and indistinct veins, pointed or with short sharp point, up to 1.5 mm in length. The bottom floral scales are pointed. Blossoms in May-June. Wind pollinated. Chromosome numbers unknown.Distribution.
Southeast portion the European part of the former USSR, Central Asia (Kazakhstan), Western China, and Mongolia.Ecology.
Grows on sandy steppes and sandy hills.Use and economic value.
Fodder.Reference Citations:
Buhteeva A.V., Malyshev L.L., Konarev A.V. 1990. Wild-growing populations of crested wheat grass from Eastern European steppe province. Bull. VIR. Leningrad. N. 198: 54-59.Grossgeim, A.A. 1939. Flora of Caucasus. Polypodiaceae-Gramineae. Baku: Publishing house AzFaN. V.2: 587.
Ivanov A.I., Buhteeva A.V. 1975. Cenotic areas of the major fodder plants of Kazakhstan. Proc. Appl. Bot. Gen. and Breeding 54(3): 3-17.
Tzvelev N.N. 1976. Grasses of the USSR. Leningrad: Nauka. 788 pp.