Relatives

Agrostis maeotica Klok. - Azov bentgrass.

Taxonomic position.

Family Poaceae Benth. Sort Agrostis L.

Morphology and biology.

Perennial plant. Stalks are 80-110 cm tall. Leaves 4-22(up to 24) cm in length, 1.5-7 cm wide, flat, more or less curtailed during flowering. Panicle 11-28 cm long, 0.5-5 cm wide, erect or slightly hanging, after flowering compressed and narrow. Spikelets 1.75-2.5 cm long, green or dark-violet. The bottom floral scales are 1.2-1.8 mm long, sometimes from a small straight line awn; the top floral scales are 0.75-1 mm long. Flowers in July. Anemophilous. 2n=28.

Distribution.

Northern Black Sea Coast and Priazovye. Endemic.

Ecology.

This species prefers sandy, saline soils. Galomesophyte.

Utilization and economic value.

Fodder grass.

Reference citations:

Shelyak-Sosonko, Y.P., ed. 1977. Grasses of Ukraine. Kiev: Naukova Dumka. 518 pp. (in Russian).
Tzvelev N.N. 1976. Grasses of the USSR. Leningrad: Nauka. 788 pp. (in Russian).

© L.L.Malyshev.