Relatives

Psathyrostachys juncea (Fish.) Nevski - Russian wild ryegrass, Altai wild ryegrass.

Taxonomical position.

Family Poaceae Benth., Genus Psathyrostachys Nevski

Morphology and biology.

Perennial cereal. The plant forms dense tussocks. Stalks bare, smooth, 30-100 cm tall. Radical leaves numerous, flat, less often curtailed, up to 20 (35) cm in length. Spike 5-12 cm long, breaking at the joints of the axis in the upper part of the plant. Spikelets in groups of 2-3, with 2-3 (rarely only 1) florets. Spikelet scales subulate, rough. Bottom and top floral scales rough. Blossoms in May-July. Anemophilous. 2n=14.

Distribution.

Occurs in the Southeastern European part of the former USSR, Siberia, Central Asia, Iran, Western China, Tibet, and Mongolia.

Ecology.

Occurs in steppes, in alkaline and saline soils, on cretaceous and calcareous slopes and among pebbles.

Use and economic value.

Fodder plant.

Literature cited:

Malyshev L.I., Peshkova G.A., eds. 1990. Flora of Siberia. Vol. 2. Poaceae (Gramineae). Novosibirsk: Nauka, 361 pages.
Malyshev L.I., Peshkova G.A., eds. 1979. Flora of Central Siberia. Vol. 1. Onocleaceae-Saxifragaceae. Novosibirsk: Nauka, 431 pages.
Tzvelev N.N. 1976. Cereals of the USSR. Leningrad: Nauka, 788 pages.

© L.L. Malyshev

Copyright on the photos belongs to E. Dzyubenko.