嵩草属 song cao shu
Zhang Shuren; H.J. Noltie
Herbs, perennial. Rhizomes usually very short, sometimes obliquely and shortly creeping, rarely stoloniferous and spreading. Stems (culms) usually tufted, rarely scattered. Leaves basal or sub-basal; basal leaf sheaths persistent and usually prominent; blade with midrib not distinct abaxially (margin involute, sometimes filiform), or with midrib distinct abaxially (flat, sometimes folded). Inflorescence terminal, paniculate to spicate, sometimes unisexual; lowest bract leafy or glume-like, sheathless; branches of inflorescence sessile. Spikelets subtended by glumes (bracteoles), unisexual or bisexual; bisexual spikelets with one pistillate flower at base and one to several staminate flowers at distal parts enclosed by prophylls; unisexual spikelets with a solitary pistillate flower within prophylls. Sterile rachilla in pistillate spikelet usually present. Flowers unisexual. Pistillate flowers reduced to naked pistils; ovary 3- or 2-carpellate; style elongated; stigmas 3 or 2. Staminate flowers subtended by staminate glumes; stamens 1–3; filaments free, longer than glumes, slender; staminate glumes usually distinct in shape from glumes of pistillate spikelets. Achenes trigonous or flattened, usually included in prophylls, beaked or not, stipitate or not.
About 54 species: mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere; 43 species in China (14 endemic species and 2 endemic subspecies).
1a. Prophylls leathery in texture, utriculiform, inflated, much larger than nut at maturity.
2a. Leaves flat with midrib conspicuous abaxially, culms over 6 cm; prophylls over 5 mm; plant of meadows and slopes up to 4600 m ..................................................................................... 16. K. inflata
2b. Leaves filiform, U-shaped in cross section, midrib not conspicuous abaxially, culms under 4 mm; prophylls to 5 mm; dwarf mat-forming plant of stony plateaus over 4800 m .............. 17. K. yadongensis
1b. Prophylls thinly textured, open or utriculiform, if utriculiform then closely enveloping nut at maturity.
3a. Achenes mostly with 2 stigmas, compressed (biconvex) with 2 sharp edges.
4a. Spikes linear, more than 5 × as long as broad (sometimes some achenes with 3 stigmas) 28b. K. myosuroides subsp. bistaminata
4b. Spikes short, ca. 3 × as long as broad, achenes all with 2 stigmas.
5a. Glumes pale brown to brown, margin hyaline or not; achenes obovoid, very shortly stipitate; lower spikelets with 1 pistillate and 2–5 staminate flowers; (distribution eastern) 43. K. pusilla
5b. Glumes dark brown, occasionally brown, margin narrowly hyaline or not; achenes oblong, distinctly stipitate; lower spikelets with 1 pistillate and 1–3 staminate flowers; (distribution western) 44. K. karakorumensis
3b. Achenes all or mostly with 3 stigmas (in K. capillifolia, K. filifolia, and K. myosuroides sometimes some with 2), trigonous, although one of angles sometimes extremely weak (so nut appearing compressed).
6a. Rhizomes elongate, stoloniferous.
7a. Stigmas 3; achenes not stipitate; prophylls usually over 7 mm; plants robust 1. K. gammiei
7b. Stigmas 2; achenes long stipitate at maturity (stipes to 1 mm); prophylls to 6.5 mm; plants slender.
8a. Leaf blade flat, midrib distinct abaxially; prophylls to 3.6 mm; spikelets usually unisexual; glumes fawn-brown ............................................................................ 14. K. macrantha
8b. Leaf blade filiform, U-shaped, midrib not distinct abaxially; prophylls over 4 mm; lower spikelets of lateral spikes usually bisexual; glumes dark reddish brown ......... 15. K. hohxilensis
6b. Rhizomes extremely short, so plant densely tufted.
9a. Inflorescence paniculate.
10a. Prophylls open almost to base; spikelets bisexual or unisexual.
11a. Spikelets bisexual.
12a. Leaves filiform; some achenes with 2 stigmas ....................... 11. K. filifolia
12b. Leaves flat; all achenes with 3 stigmas.
13a. Culms very stout, acutely triquetrous; inflorescence very dense, club shaped 12. K. kansuensis
13b. Culms slender, not obviously triquetrous; inflorescence branches slightly spreading 13a. K. royleana subsp. royleana
11b. Spikelets unisexual.
14a. Rhizome stout, oblique, very shortly creeping, bearing short, bladeless sheaths 8. K. kuekenthaliana
14b. Rhizome not developed, culms densely tufted, not bearing bladeless sheaths.
15a. Leaves filiform ........................................................... 9. K. condensata
15b. Leaves flat, midrib distinct abaxially.
16a. Prophylls over 5 mm, keels hispid ............................... 10. K. tunicata
16b. Prophylls to 4 mm, keels not hispid 13b. K. royleana subsp. minshanica
10b. Prophylls utriculiform (open only near apex); most spikelets unisexual (some near base of inflorescence branches sometimes bisexual).
17a. Prophylls to 3.5 mm; glumes of pistillate spikelets to 3 mm ............ 6. K. fragilis
17b. Prophylls over 3.5 mm; glumes of pistillate spikelets over 4 mm.
18a. Leaves usually over 5 mm wide; prophylls over 8 mm, rachilla much shorter than achene; inflorescence branches linear, elongate ................................ 3. K. curticeps
18b. Leaves never over 5 mm wide; prophylls under 7 mm (if more, then inflorescence dense, clublike and lowest bract glume-like), rachilla almost equalling or exceeding achene.
19a. Achene elliptic, ca. 2 × as long as wide (Yunnan only) ....... 5. K. loliacea
19b. Achene narrowly elliptic to linear, ca. 3 × as long as wide (more widespread).
20a. Surface of prophyll glabrous; branches ± equal in length throughout inflorescence, curving outward ................................................................ 2. K. laxa
20b. Surface of prophyll minutely hispid near apex; lower inflorescence branches longer than upper, appressed or obliquely ascending.
21a. Rachilla shorter than achene; margins of glumes hyaline; culms slender 4. K. sikkimensis
21b. Rachilla almost or exceeding prophyll; margins of glumes not hyaline; culms stout ......................................................................... 7. K. uncinioides
9b. Inflorescence spicate.
22a. Prophylls over 6 mm .................................................................... 21. K. robusta
22b. Prophylls under 6 mm.
23a. Lower spikelets bisexual, with at least one staminate flower enclosed within prophyll.
24a. Leaves flat, midrib distinct abaxially.
25a. Prophylls with basal pistillate and 2–7 staminate flowers .... 18. K. humilis
25b. Prophylls with basal pistillate and 1 or 2 staminate flowers.
26a. Prophylls utriculiform, open only above middle; glumes not or minutely aristate; leaves short, stiff ................................................................... 19. K. duthiei
26b. Prophylls open almost to base; glumes long aristate; leaves longer, flaccid 20. K. filicina
24b. Leaves filiform, midrib not distinct abaxially.
27a. Prophylls open in upper half (SC Xizang) .................. 22. K. burangensis
27b. Prophylls open almost to base.
28a. Plants and spikes robust, basal sheaths conspicuous, papery, commonly orange-brown, shiny; with up to 7 staminate flowers per prophyll.
29a. Glumes aristate, with conspicuous greenish midrib; inflorescence elongate; achenes 3–4.5 mm ............................................................. 23. K. cuneata
29b. Glumes usually not aristate, midrib not conspicuous; inflorescence shorter and broader; achenes 1.7–3.5 mm ......................... 24. K. schoenoides
28b. Plants and spikes more slender, basal sheaths often dark brown; staminate flowers 1–5 per prophyll.
30a. Culm stout (to 1.5 mm in diam.), erect, exceeding leaves; spike very short in relation to culm .................................................................. 27. K. tibetica
30b. Culm more slender (to 1.3 mm in diam.), not or slightly exceeding leaves; spike more elongate.
31a. Sheaths usually dark chocolate-brown, sometimes shiny; glumes wide, blunt, with broad hyaline margin .................................... 26. K. capillifolia
31b. Sheaths paler, dull; glumes narrower, more acute, not or narrowly hyaline-margined.
32a. Spike club shaped; glumes orange-brown; spikelets usually with 3–5 staminate flowers; achenes all with 3 stigmas .... 25. K. setschwanensis
32b. Spike linear; glumes dark brown; staminate flowers usually 1 per spikelet; some achenes sometimes with 2 stigmas 28. K. myosuroides
23b. All spikelets unisexual, prophylls enclosing an achene and sterile rachilla, staminate and pistillate spikelets sometimes in separate inflorescences or on separate plants.
33a. Spikes clearly bisexual (androgynous), with pistillate spikelets below and staminate spikelets at apex.
34a. Prophylls utriculiform, open only in upper half; glumes orange-brown 29. K. nepalensis
34b. Prophylls open to base; glumes dark brown .............. 30. K. cercostachys
33b. Spikes unisexual (occasionally with a few reduced staminate spikelets at apex).
35a. Leaves flat.
36a. Prophylls narrowly elliptic or oblong, not embracing achenes, keels obscure 32. K. fissiglumis
36b. Prophylls linear or linear-oblong, embracing achenes, keels obvious and scabrid.
37a. Prophylls 2–3.5 mm, utriculiform when young; pistillate inflorescence linear, 1.7–6.5 mm .................................................................. 31. K. esenbeckii
37b. Prophylls 5–5.5 mm, open to base even when young; pistillate inflorescence oblong, 1.5–2 cm ............................................................... 33. K. falcata
35b. Leaves filiform.
38a. Prophylls utriculiform, open only in upper half.
39a. Midvein of glume conspicuous, ca. 1/3 width of glume, green 34. K. vidua
39b. Midvein of glume less than 1/3 width of glume, not conspicuously green.
40a. Plant slender; glumes reddish brown to brown; prophylls elliptic (Sichuan) 35. K. yangii
40b. Plant rigid; glumes pale brown; prophylls narrowly oblong or lanceolate (more widespread, especially Xizang).
41a. Plant robust (culms 1–2 mm in diam.); inflorescences large, pistillate ones 15–40 × 2–3 mm, staminate ones 17–30 × 4–5 mm; prophylls 3.5–5 mm 36. K. littledalei
41b. Plant slender (culms less than 1 mm in diam.); inflorescences small, pistillate ones 10–20 × 2–3 mm, staminate ones 6–13 × 2–5 mm; prophylls 2.5–3 mm ...................................................................... 37. K. prainii
38b. Prophylls open almost to base.
42a. Spikes club shaped (ca. 2 × as long as wide).
43a. Dwarf, turf-forming plant; culms commonly under 5 mm; prophylls ca. 2.5 mm (widespread) .................................................. 38. K. pygmaea
43b. Erect, tufted plant; culms usually over 7 mm; prophylls over 3 mm (Qinghai, Gansu) .................................................... 39. K. squamiformis
42b. Spikes linear (more than 5 × as long as wide).
44a. Plants slender, culms ca. 0.5 mm in diam.; spikes slender, linear 40. K. vaginosa
44b. Plants stout, culms ca. 1 mm or more in diam.; spikes oblong.
45a. Basal sheaths fibrillose, dull; pistillate glumes 5–6 × 1.5–2 mm, apex acute to obtuse, not hyaline; prophylls 5–6 mm ..... 41. K. graminifolia
45b. Basal sheaths not fibrillose, slightly shiny; pistillate glumes 6.2–8 × 2.5–4 mm, apex broad, very blunt, hyaline; prophylls 7–9 mm 42. K. woodii
根茎嵩草 gen jing song cao
Kobresia williamsii T. Koyama.
Rhizomes elongated, stoloniferous. Basal sheaths few, pale reddish brown, dull, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms loosely tufted, trigonous to subterete, 7–58 cm tall, slender, 1–1.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal or subbasal, shorter than culms; blade flat, 1.5–4.5(–5) mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence loosely or densely paniculate, reddish brown with green, club shaped, 2.6–8 × 0.5–1.2 cm; lowest bract leafy or glume-like with long arista, shorter than or exceeding inflorescence. Lowest spikelets of inflorescence branches bisexual with 1 basal pistillate flower and 1 distal staminate flower, middle ones unisexual with only 1 pistillate flower, apical ones male; glumes reddish brown, with green midvein, elliptic to oblong, (3.5–)5.5–8.5 × 3.2–4 mm, midvein broad, margin broadly hyaline, apex subacute to rounded-truncate. Prophylls pale green, partly brown, utriculiform, lanceolate, (5.6–)7–10.3 × 1–2 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels smooth, apex attenuate into a beak. Achenes yellowish green, obovoid, trigonous, 3.3–4 × 1.5–2 mm, not beaked. Rachilla in unisexual spikelets, shorter than or ca. equalling achene, flat, prominent, sometimes with a sterile staminate glume at apex. Stigmas 3, base of style disclike. Fl. and fr. May–Aug.
Grassy slopes, damp slopes in Abies forests, streamsides, cliffs; 3700–4400 m. Xizang [Bhutan, India (Sikkim), Nepal].
疏穗嵩草 shu sui song cao
Kobresia pseudolaxa C. B. Clarke.
Rhizomes shortly elongated. Basal sheaths few, pale to dark brown, dull, retaining dried leaf blades or not. Culms loosely tufted, obscurely trigonous, (4–)13–35 cm tall, slender, ca. 1 mm in diam. Leaves subbasal, shorter than culms; blade flat, 1.4–4 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence a loose or sometimes slightly compact panicle, reddish brown, linear or oblong, 3.5–8 × 1–1.5 cm; inflorescence branches all similar in length, curving outward, the lower again branched; lowest bract leaflike, sometimes surpassing inflorescence. Inflorescence branches usually androgynous in upper part of inflorescence, those in lower part usually female, sometimes whole inflorescence composed of primarily male or primarily female spikelets; spikelets unisexual; glumes reddish brown, with green midvein, narrowly ovate or oblong, 3.5–5 × 1–1.4 mm, midvein narrow, margin broadly hyaline, apex aristate, acute, or rounded. Prophylls pale green, utriculiform, linear or linear-lanceolate, sometimes slightly curved, (3.5–)4.5–6.6 × 0.5–0.8 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels slightly scabrid, margins fused to apex or free in upper half. Achenes pale yellow or brown, narrowly oblong or elliptic-oblong, trigonous, 2.5–3 × 0.4–0.6 mm, slightly beaked. Rachilla in pistillate spikelets longer than achene, exserted from or included in prophyll, green, flat, margins scabrid. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Jul.
Moist meadows, on wet rocks; 2200–3700 m. Xizang [Afghanistan, India (Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim), Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan].
??vernacular name
Carex curticeps C. B. Clarke in J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. India 6: 729. 1894.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths stout, pale brown, dull, retaining dried leaf blades, sometimes decaying to fibers. Culms tufted, rigid, erect, trigonous, 22–95 cm tall, 1.1–2.2 mm in diam. Leaves borne on lower half and ca. equalling culm; blade flat, (3.7–)5–7.5 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence densely paniculate, brown, narrow, 6.5–9.5 × 0.8–2.3 cm; lowest bract leaflike, erect, sometimes exceeding inflorescence; branches usually androgynous in upper part of inflorescence, those in lower part usually female, sometimes whole inflorescence composed of primarily female spikelets; spikelets unisexual. Lower inflorescence branches linear, stiffly appressed (lowest to 6 cm), androgynous or pistillate, sometimes again branched, bearing spikelets to base. Pistillate glumes cream or brown, with green midvein, narrowly ovate or oblong, encircling branch, 5.5–10 × 2–3 mm, midvein broad, 3–5-ribbed, apex aristate. Prophylls utriculiform, linear-lanceolate, (6–)8–11.3 × 1–1.6 mm, 2-keeled, keels minutely scabrid, herbaceous and strongly ca. 4-veined between keels, usually minutely hispid near margins above, margins fused from base to just below apex. Achenes cream or pale brown, very narrowly ellipsoid, trigonous, 5.5–6.5 × 1.3–1.7 mm, shortly stipitate. Rachilla in pistillate spikelets less than half length of achene. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. Jun–Oct.
Open stony or sandy slopes in damp conifer (including Abies) forests [in Bhutan]; 2700–4100 m. Xizang (Chumbi) [Bhutan, India (Sikkim, West Bengal), Nepal].
??vernacular name
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths cream, dull, slender, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms tufted, rigid, erect, trigonous, 16–38 cm tall, ca. 1 mm in diam. Leaves borne on lower half, half-length to equalling culm; blade flat, 2.4–3 mm wide, midrib conspicuous abaxially. Inflorescence densely paniculate, brown, narrowly pyramidal, 4–7 × 1–2 cm; lowest bract leaflike, erect, exceeding inflorescence; branches androgynous; spikelets unisexual. Lower inflorescence branches narrowly oblong, not stiffly appressed (lowest to 4 cm), androgynous, not bearing spikelets in lower 1/3. Pistillate glumes brown, with green midvein, narrowly ovate or oblong, ca. 5.5 × 2 mm, midvein narrow, 3-ribbed, margin hyaline, apex aristate. Prophylls utriculiform, linear-lanceolate, 4.1–5.8 × 1–1.7 mm, 2-keeled, keels minutely scabrid, herbaceous and weakly ca. 4-veined between keels, usually minutely hispid above, margins fused from base to just below apex. Achenes cream or pale brown, very narrowly ellipsoid, trigonous, 3–3.3 × 0.8–1.5 mm, shortly stipitate. Rachilla in pistillate spikelets more than half length of achene. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. Jul–Aug.
Although not yet recorded in China, this species is almost certain to occur in S Xizang, as it occurs very close to the border in NW Bhutan and also in India (Sikkim) and NE Nepal (where it occurs on forest margins and on scree in juniper forests at elevations of 3000–4200 m).
黑麦嵩草 hei mai song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths few, pale brown, dull, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms tufted, 15–45 cm tall, slender, 1–1.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal or subbasal, shorter than culms; blade flat, 1.5–2 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence loosely paniculate, yellowish green, linear, 2.5–6 × 0.4–0.5 cm; lowest bract leafy, longer than inflorescence. Spikelets bisexual with 1 basal pistillate flower and 1–4 distal staminate flowers, sometimes unisexual with only one pistillate flower; glumes yellowish green, oblong, 4.5–5.5 × 2–2.5 mm, apex mucronate. Prophylls yellowish green, utriculiform, oblong or elliptic, 5–6.6 × ca. 2 mm, papery, 2-keeled, keels smooth, many veined between keels, apex attenuate into beak. Achenes pale to dark brown, obovoid-oblong, obscurely trigonous, 2.8–3.8 × 1–2 mm, not beaked. Rachilla in unisexual spikelets, prominent, flat, ca. 2/3 as long as achene, with a sterile staminate glume at apex. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. Jul–Sep.
* Slopes, roadsides, grasslands; 3200–3400 m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan.
囊状嵩草 nang zhuang song cao
Carex curvata Boott (1858), not Knaf (1847); Kobresia bonatiana Kükenthal; K. clarkeana (Kükenthal) Kükenthal; K. curticeps (C. B. Clarke) Kükenthal var. gyirongensis Y. C. Yang; K. curvata C. B. Clarke; K. hispida Kükenthal; K. yuennanensis Handel-Mazzetti; Schoenoxiphium clarkeanum Kükenthal.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths few, pale brown, dull, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms tufted, erect, trigonous or subterete, (1.5–)6–45 cm tall, slender, 0.5–1.1 mm in diam. Leaves basal or subbasal, shorter than or equalling culms, sometimes curved; blade V-shaped in transverse section, inrolled, 1–2 mm wide, midrib not distinct abaxially. Inflorescence a loose or sometimes slightly compact panicle, yellowish brown, or green and partly brown, linear or narrowly cylindric, sometimes curved, 1–8 × 0.2–0.7 cm, branches mainly androgynous, ca. equal in length, appressed or slightly spreading; lower inflorescence branches compound or simple, linear-oblong to ovate; lowest bract leaflike, usually surpassing inflorescence. Spikelets usually unisexual (occasionally bisexual); glumes pale yellow to brown, sometimes marked with brown spots and lines, ovate or oblong, 2–3.5 × 1–1.7 mm, midvein green, broad, margin hyaline, apex aristate, acute, or rounded. Prophylls pale yellow or pale green, sometimes with reddish brown spots and lines, utriculiform, oblong, narrowly elliptic, or narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 2.4–3.5 × 0.8–1.5 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels slightly scabrid or smooth, margins fused to apex. Achenes pale yellow or brown, narrowly oblong or elliptic-obovoid, trigonous, 1.5–2.5 × 0.5–1 mm, shortly beaked. Rachilla in pistillate spikelets longer than achene, included in prophyll, green, flat, margins scabrid. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep.
Open grassy slopes, grasslands under Quercus woods, riversides; 2600–4300 m. Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Sikkim), Nepal].
This ‘species’ represents a complex on which further work is required. There are two distinct forms differing in micromorphology of achene surface, but these cannot be correlated with the forms that differ (often dramatically) in gross morphology (e.g., in habit – erect vs. weak, and forms that are predominantly staminate).
钩状嵩草 gou zhuang song cao
Carex uncinioides Boott, Ill. Gen. Carex 1: 8, t. 23. 1858.
Rhizomes very stout, shortly oblique. Basal sheaths few, pale brown or cream, dull, retaining dried leaf blades, decaying to fibers. Culms tufted, rigid and erect, obtusely trigonous or nearly terete, (1.5–)6–50 cm tall, 1–2.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal or subbasal, shorter than culms; blade flat, 2–4 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence densely paniculate (very rarely spicate), yellowish brown and partly green, narrowly club shaped, (1–)2.5–7 × 0.8–1.7 cm; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate, arista short or long (occasionally nearly equalling inflorescence); branches oblong or lanceolate, appressed, androgynous or pistillate, the lower sometimes distant; spikelets unisexual with only one pistillate flower; pistillate glumes yellowish brown, with green midvein, oblong or ovate, 5–8 (excl. awn) × 2.4–3.6 mm, membranous, midvein extending into arista, margin not hyaline, apex aristate. Prophylls yellowish brown, utriculiform, narrowly lanceolate, 5.5–8.5(–10.5) × 1.4–1.5 mm, herbaceous, upper part often hairy, 2-keeled and many veined, keels scabrid, margins fused from base to just below apex. Achenes chestnut-brown, narrowly oblong, trigonous, 3.1–4.5 × 0.8–1.4 mm, not beaked (but style base sometimes persistent), shortly stipitate. Rachilla in pistillate spikelets, longer than achene, slightly exerted from prophyll, green, flat, margins ciliate. Stigma 3. Fl. and fr. Jun–Oct.
Alpine meadows; stream- and lake-sides, grassy slopes, forest margins, among shrubs; 2900–4900 m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Sikkim), Myanmar, Nepal].
宁远嵩草 ning yuan song cao
Schoenoxiphium kuekenthaliana (Handel-Mazzetti) N. A. Ivanova.
Rhizomes shortly and obliquely elongate, bearing pale brown scales (bladeless sheaths). Basal sheaths persistent, brown, not retaining dried leaves. Culms densely tufted, erect, obtusely trigonous, 25–40 cm, slender, ca. 1 mm in diam. Leaves basal, longer than culms; sheaths with reddish brown, membranous margins; blade flat or folded, 1.5–2.5 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence densely paniculate, pale brown, linear-lanceolate, 2.6–4 × 0.6–0.8 cm; branches about equal in length, slightly spreading; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate. Inflorescence branches androgynous, with 1 (perhaps sometimes more) basal pistillate spikelet, and ca. 6 upper and terminal staminate flowers. Glumes pale brown or brown, with yellowish brown midvein, ovate or ovate-oblong, 4.5–5.5 × 1.5–2 mm, membranous, midvein narrow, margin hyaline, apex acute or mucronate. Prophylls yellowish brown, oblong or oblong-elliptic, 4.3–5 × 1–1.5 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels smooth, margins free from apex almost to base, apex rounded or slightly bidentate. Immature achenes yellowish, oblong-obovoid, ca. 3 × 1 mm. Rachilla sometimes present in female spikelets, very short. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. Apr.
* Sandy ground; ca. 2700 m. Sichuan (Xichang).
This taxon is known only from the immature type specimen; further collections are required to assess its status, in particular its relationship with Kobresia royleana subsp. minshanica.
密穗嵩草 mi sui song cao
Kobresia capillifolia (Decaisne) C. B. Clarke var. condensata Kükenthal, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 7: 134. 1912.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, outer ones dark brown, inner ones orange-brown, margins and apices fibrillose, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, stiff, obtusely trigonous, 14–44 cm, slender, 1–1.8 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than culms; blade stiffly erect, filiform, V-shaped in cross-section, 0.5–1 mm wide. Inflorescence a dense panicle, brown, oblong-lanceolate, to 2–4 × 0.6–1 cm, branches short, obliquely appressed; lowest bract glume-like, apex shortly aristate. Lateral branches androgynous with 1 or 2 basal pistillate spikelets and up to 10 staminate flowers, or unisexual with up to 6 pistillate spikelets. Glumes brown, with conspicuous green midvein, ovate-oblong, 5.5–6 × 2.7–3 mm, papery, midvein broad, margin hyaline, apex acute or mucronate. Prophylls yellowish brown, oblong, 4–4.5 × 1.5–1.8 mm, membranous, strongly 2-keeled, keels minutely scabrid, margins free nearly to base, apex hyaline, truncate. Achenes cream, oblong, compressed-trigonous, 3–3.5 × 1.1–1.7 mm, not or very shortly beaked, very shortly stipitate. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. Jun–Jul.
* In stream beds, river terraces and wet meadows with shrubs, open areas in mixed conifer forests; 3200–4000 m. Sichuan (Daocheng, Xiangcheng), Yunnan (Lijiang).
玉龙嵩草 yu long song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, brown, not shiny, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect and rigid, trigonous, 20–25 cm tall, ca. 1.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, longer than culms; blade flat or folded, 1.5–3 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence loosely paniculate, brown, lanceolate, ca. 5 cm × 7 mm; lowest bract glume-like, blunt; inflorescence branches linear, androgynous, spikelets unisexual, terminal spikelets staminate (up to 3), lower ones (up to 9) pistillate. Pistillate glumes brown, with green midvein, ovate-lanceolate or oblong-ovate, 5–5.5 × 1.5–2 mm, midvein narrow, margin hyaline, apex subacute or obtuse. Prophylls pale brown, linear-lanceolate, 5.2–6 × ca. 1 mm, papery, apex hyaline, 2-keeled, keels scabrid, margins free to base, overlapping. Immature achenes narrowly elliptic, obscurely trigonous, ca. 4 mm (including stipe) × 0.8 mm, stipitate, crowned with stout beaklike style base, beak ca. 1 mm. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets flat, ca. 2 mm, sometimes with vestigial glume at apex. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
* Alpine grasslands, marshes at edges of pools; 3300–4300 m. Sichuan, Yunnan.
Both Kükenthal and Ivanova referred this to Kobresia kansuensis, of which it may only be a less robust form with unisexual spikelets. It is also possible that it is a form of K. graminifolia with a branched inflorescence, but further collections are required.
丝叶嵩草 si ye song cao
Elyna filifolia Turczaninow, Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 28(1): 353. 1855; Kobresia capillifolia (Decaisne) C. B. Clarke var. filifolia (Turczaninow) Kükenthal; K. filifolia var. macroprophylla Y. C. Yang; K. gracilis Meinshausen; K. macroprophylla (Y. C. Yang) P. C. Li; K. pratensis Freyn.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, orange-brown, not retaining dried leaf blades, sometimes decaying to fibers. Culms densely tufted, obtusely trigonous, 15–50 cm, slender, 0.6–1 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than or almost equalling culms; blade filiform, weak, margin involute, 0.5–1.5 mm wide. Inflorescence a dense spike-like panicle (occasionally reduced to a spike), reddish brown or pale brown, cylindric, 1–3 × 0.3–0.7 cm, branches short, appressed; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate. Lower inflorescence branches with the terminal spikelets staminate, lower spikelets bisexual. Bisexual spikelets 2–7-flowered, basal 1 pistillate, other 1–6 staminate. Glumes reddish brown or brown, with yellowish brown midvein, ovate or ovate-oblong, (3–)4–4.5(–6.2) (excluding arista) × 1.5–2.8 mm, membranous, margin broadly hyaline, apex acute or aristate. Prophylls brown or yellowish brown, ovate-oblong or oblong-elliptic, 3–4 × 1–1.8 mm, membranous, 1- or 2-keeled, keels slightly scabrid, margins free to base, apex rounded or slightly bidentate. Achenes dark brown, obovoid or oblong-obovoid, trigonous or biconvex, 2.1–3.5 (excluding beak) × 1–1.2 mm, very shortly stipitate, shortly beaked, beak slightly conical. Stigmas usually 3, occasionally both 3 and 2 on same inflorescence. Fl. and fr. May–Oct. 2n = ca. 60.
Wet grassy slopes, boggy meadows; 1700–2900 m. Gansu, Hebei, Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Shanxi [Mongolia, Russia].
Forms with simple (spicate) inflorescences are similar to Kobresia myosuroides subsp. bistaminata and to K. capillifolia (both of which share the bistigmatic tendency): such forms differ from both in having weaker leaves; from the latter in their dull, orange-brown, shorter, basal sheaths and usually more than 2 male flowers per spikelet.
甘肃嵩草 gan su song cao
Kobresia pseuduncinoides Noltie.
Rhizomes short, thick, woody. Basal sheaths prominent, dark brown, shiny, leathery, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, sharply triquetrous, (14–)20–70 cm tall, stout, 2.2–4(–6) mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than or ± equalling culms; blade flat, sometimes folded at base, 4–9 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence densely paniculate (occasionally spicate), brown or dark brown, partly green, narrowly oblong to lanceolate (club shaped), (2–)3–6.5 × 0.7–1.8 cm, with numerous, short, appressed branches; inflorescence branches simple; lowest bract glume-like, broad green midvein elongated into filiform arista not exceeding inflorescence. Terminal spikelets of inflorescence branches staminate, lower ones bisexual with 1 basal pistillate flower and 2–4(–6) distal staminate flowers, sometimes with some unisexual pistillate ones above (or throughout). Glumes brown, with yellowish green or green midvein, oblong, oblong-elliptic, or oblong-ovate, 5–10 × 2–3.5 mm, midvein narrow, margin narrowly hyaline near apex, apex acute to strongly aristate. Prophylls yellow or yellowish green in lower part, brown in upper part, narrowly oblong, 4.5–7.4 × 1–1.3 mm, papery, 2-keeled, keels minutely scabrid, sometimes 2–4-veined between keels, margins open to base. Achenes brown or grayish brown, narrowly obovoid or narrowly oblong, trigonous, 2.8–4(–5) × 0.8–1 mm, very shortly stipitate, shortly beaked, beak to 0.6 mm. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Oct.
Shaded and wet places, open marshes, among shrubs, alpine meadows, grassy slopes, streamsides; 3000–4700 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, Nepal].
Specimens from Bhutan, Nepal, and SE Xizang (described as Kobresia pseuduncinoides) tend to be extremely robust, with large prophylls and strongly aristate glumes, but variation in these characters is found to be continuous. Forms with simple spikes can be distinguished from robust forms of K. cuneata by their flat leaves.
喜马拉雅嵩草 xi ma la ya song cao
Rhizomes short, thick, woody. Basal sheaths prominent, brown or reddish brown, dull, not fibrillose, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, rigid, acutely trigonous, or subterete in lower part, (2–)6–75 cm tall, 1–2.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than culms; blade flat, 2–4 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence a dense or slightly loose panicle, brown, 1–3.5 × 0.6–1.2 cm; inflorescence branches simple, obliquely ascending, decreasing in length toward apex; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate. Terminal spikelets of inflorescence branches staminate, lower ones bisexual or unisexual. Bisexual spikelets with 1 basal pistillate flower and 2 or 3(–6) distal staminate flowers. Glumes brown, with green midvein, ovate-oblong, 2.6–5.1 × 1.7–3.5 mm, margin hyaline or not, apex acute or aristate. Prophylls pale brown, oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 2.7–5 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels scabrid, margins open to base. Achenes narrowly oblong, trigonous, 1.7–4 mm, beak to 1 mm, very shortly stipitate. Sterile rachilla sometimes present in pistillate spikelets, to 1/3 as long as achene. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
Moist habitats, among scrub; 700–5200 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, India (Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal), Kashmir, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan].
1a.. Spikelets bisexual; culms rigid, acutely trigonous, or subterete in lower part, 5–35 cm tall, 1.5–2.5 mm in diam.; leaf blade 2–4 mm wide ................................................................. 13a. subsp. royleana
1b.. Spikelets unisexual; culms trigonous, or subterete in lower part, 30–75 cm tall, slender, 1–1.5(–1.8) mm in diam.; leaf blade 1.5–2(–2.5) mm wide ................................................. 13b. subsp. minshanica
喜马拉雅嵩草 xi ma la ya song cao (...)
Trilepis royleana Nees, Linnaea 9: 305. 1834; Elyna kokanica Regel; E. stenocarpa Karelin & Kirilov; Kobresia paniculata Meinshausen; K. royleana var. kokanica (Regel) Kükenthal; K. royleana var. paniculata (Meinshausen) Kükenthal; K. stenocarpa (Karelin & Kirilov) Steudel; K. stenocarpa var. royleana (Nees) C. B. Clarke; K. stenocarpa var. simplex Y. C. Yang.
Culms rigid, acutely trigonous, or subterete in lower part, 5–35 cm tall, 1.5–2.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, blade flat, 2–4 mm wide. Inflorescence a dense panicle, lower branches sometimes slightly distant, 1–3.5 × 0.6–1.2 cm. Terminal spikelets of inflorescence branches staminate, lateral ones bisexual or unisexual. Lower spikelets of branches usually bisexual with 1 basal pistillate flower and 2 or 3(–6) distal staminate flowers. Glumes ovate-oblong, 2.6–4.5 × 3.2–3.5 mm. Prophylls 3–5 mm. Achenes 2.4–4 mm, beak to 1 mm.
Moist habitats; 700–5200 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, India (Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal), Kashmir, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan].
岷山嵩草 min shan song cao
Kobresia minshanica F. T. Wang & T. Tang ex Y. C. Yang, Acta Biol. Plateau Sin. 2: 1. 1984; K. menyuanica Y. C. Yang.
Culms trigonous, or subterete in lower part, 30–75 cm tall, slender, 1–1.5(–1.8) mm in diam. Leaf blade flat, 1.5–2(–2.5) mm wide. Inflorescence narrowly paniculate, compact or slightly loose in lower part, 1.2–3.5 × 0.7–0.9 cm. Lower spikelets of inflorescence branches usually unisexual with 1 pistillate flower only (occasionally bisexual with 1 basal pistillate flower and 2–5 distal staminate flowers). Glumes ovate-oblong, 3.3–5.1 × 1.7–2.1 mm. Prophylls 2.7–4.4 mm. Achenes 1.7–3 mm, beak ca. 0.4 mm. Sterile rachilla in pistillate spikelets much shorter than achene.
* Moist places, hillsides, among scrub; 2900–3800 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan.
大花嵩草 da hua song cao
Blysmocarex macrantha (Boeckeler) N. A. Ivanova subsp. nudicarpa (Y. C. Yang) D. S. Deng; B. nudicarpa Y. C. Yang; Kobresia macrantha var. nudicarpa (Y. C. Yang) P. C. Li; K. nudicarpa (Y. C. Yang) S. R. Zhang.
Rhizomes elongate, slender, stoloniferous. Basal sheaths pale brown, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms scattered, erect, trigonous, 3–17 cm tall, 1–1.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than culms; blade flat, 1–3 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence paniculate, cylindric to ovoid, 1–2 × 0.6–1 cm; inflorescence branches androgynous or unisexual (whole inflorescence sometimes ± unisexual), lowest branch sometimes slightly distant; lowest bract leaf-like or glume-like, apex long aristate. Spikelets usually unisexual; glumes chestnut-brown with green midvein, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 4–6.3 × 2–2.3 mm, margin broadly hyaline, apex acute or obtuse. Prophylls yellowish brown, ovate-lanceolate, 3–3.6 × 1.2–2 mm, thinly membranous, 2-keeled, keels smooth, margins free or connate at base. Achenes elliptic-ovoid or nearly circular, flattened, 1.4–2 × 0.8–1 mm, not beaked, conspicuously stipitate, stipe 0.6–1 mm. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets terete, minute, ca. equalling stipe of achene. Stigmas 2, very long. Fl. and fr. Jun–Aug.
Open ground, sandy soils, meadows in river valleys; 2500–4800 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang [Nepal].
匍茎嵩草 pu jing song cao
Blysmocarex macrantha (Boeckeler) N. A. Ivanova subsp. stolonifera (Y. C. Tang ex P. C. Li) D. S. Deng; Kobresia stolonifera Y. C. Tang ex P. C. Li.
Rhizomes elongate, slender, stoloniferous. Basal sheaths yellowish brown or brown, 2–5 cm, retaining dried leaf blades or not. Culms scattered, erect or curved, subterete, slender, 3–20 cm tall, 0.6–1 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than culms; blade filiform, margin involute, 0.4–0.8 mm wide. Inflorescence narrowly paniculate, sometimes spicate, reddish brown, cylindric to narrowly ovoid, 1.5–2 × ca. 0.8 cm; lower inflorescence branches androgynous, or with mixed pistillate and staminate spikelets, upper part of inflorescence spicate consisting of bisexual and terminal male spikelets; lowest bract glume-like, apex long aristate. Spikelets unisexual and bisexual; glumes reddish brown, with yellowish brown midvein, narrowly ovate, 5.6–6.5 × 2–3 mm, margin hyaline, apex rounded or acute. Prophylls yellow to yellowish brown, narrowly ovate, 4.3–6.5 × 1.6–2.7 mm, papery to leathery, margins free or connate at base and overlapping. Achenes broadly oblong, flattened, 2–3 × 1.5–1.8 mm, not beaked, stipe 0.6–1 mm. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets terete, minute. Stigmas 2, very long, slender. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep.
* Sandy, or rocky and sandy ground, open grassy plains; 3100–4900 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Xizang.
膨囊嵩草 peng nang song cao
Rhizomes obliquely and shortly elongate. Basal sheaths yellowish brown, dull, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms tufted, obscurely trigonous, 4–12 cm tall, usually slender, 0.6(–1.4) mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than culms, curved; blade flat, 2–3 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence spicate or sometimes paniculate, 2–2.5 × 0.7–2 cm, predominantly unisexual; branches if present short, appressed; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate to varying degrees. Spikelets unisexual (sometimes bisexual), shortly stipitate; glumes brown to yellowish brown, ovate, 4–7.2 × 3–3.5 mm. Prophylls brown or yellowish green marked with brown, utriculiform, inflated (not tightly appressed to achene at maturity), ovoid, beaked, 5.5–8 × 2.3–3 mm, thickly papery or leathery, 2-keeled, keels smooth, apex weakly notched. Achenes obovoid, triquetrous, 2.5–4 × 1.8–2.5 mm, not beaked, style base disclike. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets flat, almost equalling, or exceeding achene, sometimes with 1 or 2 staminate flowers distally. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. Jul–Sep.
Alpine meadows, grasslands on slopes, dry banks by streams, scree; 3600–4600 m. Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan].
This species is similar to Kobresia nitens C. B. Clarke of the W Himalayas which differs in having bisexual spikelets.
亚东嵩草 ya dong song cao
Plants forming dense, round patches; rhizomes very short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, brown, dull, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms erect, subterete, dwarf, ca. 0.5(–4) cm tall, scarcely emerging from sheaths. Leaves basal, usually longer than culms (to 1.5 cm); blade stiffly erect, filiform, ca. 0.8 mm wide, margin involute. Inflorescence spicate, unisexual; all spikelets single-flowered. Staminate spikes not seen. Pistillate spike pale brown, subspherical, ca. 1 cm, spikelets ca. 5; lowest bract glume-like with long green arista. Pistillate glumes ovate, ca. 5 (excluding arista) × 3.5 mm, brown laterally, with yellowish green midrib, midrib broad, 3-veined, margin broadly hyaline, apex acute or aristate. Prophylls flushed brown, utriculiform, triangular-ovoid, inflated (not tightly appressed to achene at maturity), 4–5 × 2.5–4 mm, thickly papery or leathery, keels obscure, minutely hispid, margins fused to above middle, apex acute, notched. Achenes triangular-ovoid, 3-lobed, 2.5–3 × ca. 2.3 mm, attenuate to apex. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachillas flat, minute, ca. 1/3 as long as achene. Fl. and fr. Sep.
* Alpine meadows, gravelly river terraces; 4800–5100 m. Xizang (Upper Targo Tsangpo Basin, Yadong).
矮生嵩草 ai sheng song cao
Elyna humilis C. A. Meyer ex Trautvetter, Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 1: 21. 1871; Kobresia royleana (Nees) Boeckeler var. humilis (C. A. Meyer ex Trautvetter) Kükenthal.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent, pale brown to brown, dull, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, obtusely trigonous, 2–15 cm tall, 0.8–1.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than culms, sometimes recurved; blade flat, midrib distinct abaxially, folded at base, 1–2.2 mm wide. Inflorescence spicate, brown, densely cylindric, 0.8–1.7 × 0.4–0.6 cm, with up to 10 spikelets; lowest bract glume-like, aristate. Terminal spikelets of inflorescence staminate, lower ones bisexual with 1 basal pistillate flower and 2–7 distal staminate flowers. Glumes brown, with a yellowish green or green midvein, oblong, ovate-elliptic, or ovate, 3–5 × 1.5–2.5 mm, margin broadly hyaline, apex obtuse or rounded, sometimes aristate. Prophylls pale brown, oblong or elliptic, 3–5 × 1.5–2 mm, membranous, glabrous, 2-keeled, keels scabrid, margins open to base. Achenes brown or grayish brown, narrowly obovoid or elliptic, trigonous, 2.5–3 × 1–1.5 mm, very shortly stipitate, shortly beaked. Stigmas usually 3. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep.
Sunny slopes, alpine meadows; 2500–4400 m. ?Ningxia, ?Qinghai, Xinjiang, Xizang [Afghanistan, India (Sikkim), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan; SW Asia (Iran, Iraq)].
This species apparently sometimes has two stigmas, and therefore grading into Kobresia pusilla.
线形嵩草 xian xing song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths persistent, brown, reddish brown, or yellowish brown, dull, not fibrillose, retaining dead leaf blades or not. Culms densely tufted, stiffly erect, subterete, (0.5–)4–20(–40) cm tall, 0.6–1.2 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than culms; blade flat, 1.4–2.3 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence spicate, greenish or pale brown, linear or linear-oblong, 1–5 × 0.2–0.4 cm, dense; all spikelets bisexual, occasionally staminate flowers reduced; lowest bract glume-like, apex acute or aristate. Spikelets usually 2-flowered, basal one pistillate, distal one staminate. Glumes pale brown laterally, with green midvein, ovate, 2–4.5 × 1.5–2.6 mm, midvein broad, 3-ribbed, margin hyaline, apex acute or obtuse, sometimes with very short scabrid arista. Prophylls pale green or yellowish brown with ferruginous spots and lines, oblong or linear-oblong, (2.2–)3–5 × 0.7–1 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels scabrid, margins united to above middle, apex obtuse or bidentate; staminate glume 2.3–3.6 mm, stamen 1. Achenes pale brown, narrowly oblong, trigonous, 1.9–2.8 (excluding beak) × 0.6–0.9 mm, beak 0.5–1.5 mm, exserted from prophyll when mature, shortly stipitate. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
Bare mossy peat, wet and open marshes, exposed and dry rocky ridges, grassy slopes; 3600–4600 m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Sikkim, Uttaranchal), Nepal].
蕨状嵩草 jue zhuang song cao
Hemicarex filicina C. B. Clarke, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 20: 384. 1883; Kobresia filicina var. subfilicinoides P. C. Li.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths persistent, brown, reddish brown, or yellowish brown, dull, not fibrillose, retaining a few dried leaf blades. Culms tufted, flaccid or slightly stiff, obtusely trigonous, 8–35 cm tall, slender, 0.4–0.8 mm in diam. Leaves basal, slightly shorter than to exceeding culms; blade flat or partly folded, 0.6–2(–3) mm wide, usually flaccid, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence spicate, yellowish green or partly brown, linear or linear-oblong, 1–4(–5) × 0.1–0.3 cm, dense above, basal spikelets usually slightly distant; a few terminal spikelets staminate, lower ones bisexual; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate, arista to 8 mm. Bisexual spikelets usually 2-flowered, basal one pistillate, distal one staminate, staminate flower with 1 or 2(or 3) stamens. Glumes yellowish brown laterally, with green midvein, ovate-oblong, 2–3 (excluding arista) × 0.5–1 mm, midvein broad, 3-ribbed, margin hyaline, apex aristate or acute, arista to 2 mm. Prophylls yellowish green or yellowish brown with ferruginous spots and lines, oblong or linear-oblong, 2–2.6 × 0.5–0.7 mm, membranous, 2-keeled (sometimes obscurely), keels scabrid, margins open to middle part or below, apex rounded. Achenes narrowly oblong, trigonous, 1.9–2.4 (excluding beak) × ca. 0.6 mm, beak ca. 0.5 mm, exserted from prophylls when mature, shortly stipitate, stipe ca. 0.2 mm. Stigmas 3, short. Fl. and fr. Jul–Oct.
Forest understories, dry river beds, on rocks; 2000–4000 m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttaranchal), Nepal].
A specimen with wide leaves and long spikes from Yunnan was described as var. subfilicinoides, but similar forms have been seen from Nepal and are not worth taxonomic recognition.
粗壮嵩草 cu zhuang song cao
Kobresia robusta var. sargentiana (Hemsley) Kükenthal; K. sargentiana Hemsley.
Rhizomes short or obliquely elongated and rarely stoloniferous, thick, woody. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, yellow to yellowish brown, slightly shiny, to 5 cm, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms tufted, erect or curved, rigid, obtusely trigonous or subterete, 5–60 cm tall, stout, 1.2–3 mm in diam. Leaves basal, longer or shorter than culms; blade rigid, erect or curved, filiform, 0.7–1.7(–2) mm wide, margin involute. Inflorescence densely spicate, with ca. 10 spikelets, the lower sometimes distant, very pale orange-brown, cylindric, 2–5 × 0.4–0.8 cm; terminal spikelets staminate, the lower bisexual; lowest inflorescence bract glume-like, apex rounded. Bisexual spikelets with 1 basal pistillate flower and 1–3 distal staminate flowers. Glumes yellowish brown laterally, with pale yellow to yellow midvein, broadly ovate, (7.2–)7.8–10 × 5.5–6.5 mm, midvein broad, 3–9-veined, margin very broadly hyaline, apex obtuse. Prophylls yellowish brown, utricle-like, broadly elliptic or ovate-elliptic, abruptly narrowed above, 6.5–10 × 2.5–3.5 mm, membranous, obscurely 2-keeled, keels smooth, margins free in upper 1/3 or almost to base. Achenes grayish brown, oblong or broadly elliptic, trigonous, concave, 4–5 × 2–2.4 mm, very shortly beaked, stipitate, stipe ca. 1 mm. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
Sandy soils, herb-rich meadows; 2900–5200 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Xizang [?Mongolia].
普兰嵩草 pu lan song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent, yellowish brown to pale brown, shiny, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, rigid and erect, subterete, 8–12 cm tall, 1–1.2 mm in diam. Leaves basal, erect, longer than or ± equalling culms; blade filiform, 0.5–0.8 mm wide, margin involute. Inflorescence densely spicate, yellowish brown, narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, 1.8–2(–2.5) × 0.2–0.3 cm; terminal spikelets staminate, lower ones bisexual; lowest bract glume-like, apex obtuse or rounded. Bisexual spikelets with 1 basal pistillate flower and 2 or 3 distal staminate flowers. Glumes yellowish brown, with pale green or yellowish green midvein, ovate-oblong or oblong, 5–7 × 2.5–3 mm, obtuse and rounded, midvein broad, margin broadly hyaline. Prophylls lower part pale yellow, upper part brown, obovate-oblong, 3.5–4 × ca. 1.2 mm, membranous, apex truncate and hyaline, 2-keeled, keels slightly scabrid, margins united from base to halfway. Immature achenes elliptic, obscurely trigonous. Stigmas 3. Fl. Jul.
* Grassy slopes; ca. 5000 m. Xizang (Burang).
This species is known only from the immature type specimen.
截形嵩草 jie xing song cao
Kobresia lepidochlamys F. T. Wang & T. Tang ex P. C. Li.
Rhizomes short, thick, woody. Basal sheaths prominent, brown or dark brown, margins fibrillose, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect and stout, obtusely trigonous, (10–)15–45 cm tall, 1.5–2.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than or ± equalling culms; blade filiform, 1–3(–5) mm wide, V- or U-shaped in cross section, midrib not distinct abaxially. Inflorescence a dense spike, sometimes interrupted at base, brown or dark brown, oblong to narrowly oblong, 2–6 × 0.5–1.2 cm; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate. Spikelets (except a few terminal ones that may be staminate only) bisexual with a basal pistillate flower and (1–)3–7 distal staminate flowers; glumes brown or chestnut-brown, with yellowish green or green midvein, oblong, oblong-elliptic, or oblong-ovate, 5–6 × 2–3 mm, margin hyaline or not, apex obtuse or rounded and aristate; arista sinuate, 1–5 mm, margin hispid. Prophylls yellow or whitish yellow in lower part, brown above, oblong, 5–8 × 1.8–3 mm, papery, 2-keeled, keels smooth or very minutely scabrid, with up to 8 veins between keels, margins open to base, apex truncate. Achenes yellow or yellowish brown, oblong, trigonous, 3–4.5 × 2–3 mm, very shortly stipitate, not or shortly beaked. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
Alpine meadows among shrubs, alpine swampy meadows, wet grassy slopes, grassy areas under woods; 3000–4800 m. Gansu, ?Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan.
This is like a robust form of Kobresia schoenoides, from which it is distinguished by its fibrillose sheaths; longer spikes; midribs of glumes broader, green, developed into an arista; and larger, narrower achenes. In the description of K. lepidochlamys, the male flowers were misinterpreted as perianth scales. A specimen from Yunnan (Rock 9600) is intermediate between K. cuneata and K. kansuensis: it has the spicate inflorescence and fibrillose leaf sheaths of the former, but the very robust habit and flat leaves (midribs distinct abaxially) of the latter.
赤箭嵩草 chi jian song cao
Elyna schoenoides C. A. Meyer, Fl. Altaic. 4: 235. 1833; Kobresia deasyi C. B. Clarke; K. glaucifolia F. T. Wang & T. Tang ex P. C. Li; K. lacustris P. C. Li; K. maquensis Y. C. Yang; K. pamiroalaica N. A. Ivanova; K. septatonodosa T. Koyama.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent, commonly yellowish- to reddish brown (occasionally dark brown), shiny, leathery, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, subterete or upper part trigonous, 3–60(–70) cm tall, stout, 1–2.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, erect or sometimes curved, longer or shorter than culms; blade filiform, 1–2 mm wide, midrib not distinct abaxially, margin involute. Inflorescence densely spicate, dark to yellowish brown, oblong to clavate, occasionally ovate or narrowly ovate, 1–4 × 0.2–1 cm. Spikelets (except a few terminal ones that may be staminate only) bisexual; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate or not. Bisexual spikelets with 1 basal pistillate flower and (1–)4–7 distal staminate flowers; glumes brown, with yellowish green midvein, oblong to narrowly ovate or sometimes broadly ovate, 3–6 × 1.2–3.6 mm, midvein broad, margin broadly to narrowly hyaline, apex obtuse or mucronate. Prophylls yellowish brown to brown, oblong, narrowly elliptic, or lanceolate, (3–)3.5–7.3 × (0.9–)1.4–2.5 mm, papery to membranous, 2-keeled (sometimes obscurely so), keels smooth, sometimes many veined between keels, margins free to base. Achenes pale yellow to grayish brown, obovoid or oblong-obovoid, trigonous, 1.7–3.5 × 1–2.1 mm, 1/2–2/3 as long as prophyll, shortly stipitate, shortly beaked, beak 0.5–0.7 mm. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
Boggy places among shrubs, sedge moors, streamsides, shaded places; 2500–5800 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, Bhutan, India (Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim), Kashmir, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan; SW Asia (Iran)].
四川嵩草 si chuan song cao
Kobresia handel-mazzettii N. A. Ivanova; K. longearistita P. C. Li; K. pinetorum F. T. Wang & T. Tang ex P. C. Li.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, pale brown, dull or slightly shiny, not fibrillose, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, stiffly erect, obtusely trigonous, 5–20(–40) cm, slender, 0.7–1.3 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than culms; blade folded or margin involute, stiff, 1–2 mm wide, midrib not distinct abaxially. Inflorescence usually a dense spike (occasionally with 1 or 2 branches at base), greenish brown, cylindric, 1–3.5 × 0.3–0.6 cm; lowest bract glume-like, apex long or shortly aristate; terminal few spikelets staminate, lower ones bisexual with 1 pistillate and 2–5 staminate flowers. Glumes brown, with yellowish green to green midvein, oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 3–4.5 × 1.5–2.5 mm, papery, midvein broad, margin usually narrowly hyaline, apex usually subacute, sometimes shortly aristate. Prophylls yellowish brown, oblong, 2–4.5 × 1–1.6 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels smooth or slightly scabrid, sometimes veined between keels, margins free nearly to base, apex rounded or acute. Achenes yellowish, narrowly obovoid, compressed-trigonous, 2.1–3 × 1–1.3 mm, not beaked, nearly sessile. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
* Grassy slopes, alpine meadows, swampy meadows and marshes by lakes, dry limestone slopes, forest (including pine) understories, oak scrub; 2300–4300 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan.
This is a slender version of Kobresia schoenoides, with narrower spikes – linking that species with K. capillifolia and K. tibetica, together forming a complex that requires further work. Plants with slender culms, filiform leaves, and small spikes from pine forests (i.e., dry habitats) in NW Yunnan were described as K. pinetorum; specimens with equally small spikes have been seen from wet habitats, and forms from pine forests with robust culms and larger spikes: all of these seem best referred to a variable K. setschwanensis.
线叶嵩草 xian ye song cao
Elyna capillifolia Decaisne in Jacquemont, Voy. Inde 4: 173. 1844; Kobresia brunnescens Boeckeler; K. capilliformis N. A. Ivanova; K. elata Boeckeler; K. kashgarica W. B. Dickoré; K. macrolepis Meinshausen; K. × ovczinnikovii T. V. Egorova; K. yushuensis Y. C. Yang.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, brown to dark brown, often shiny, apices and margins sometimes fibrillose, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, slightly stiff, obtusely trigonous, (5–)10–45 cm tall, slender, 0.6–1 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than to equalling culms; blade stiffly erect, filiform (tubular in section), margin involute, 0.7–1 mm wide. Inflorescence a dense spike, lowest spikelets sometimes slightly distant, brown, narrowly cylindric, 2–4.5 × 0.2–0.4 cm; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate or not; terminal few spikelets staminate, lower ones bisexual. Bisexual spikelets with 1 basal pistillate floret and (1 or)2–4 distal staminate florets. Glumes pale brown to dark brown, with yellowish green to green midvein, usually broadly oblong-lanceolate to ovate, 4–6 × 2.5–2.8 mm, papery, midvein narrow or wide, margin broadly hyaline, apex usually rounded. Prophylls brown, oblong, lanceolate, or elliptic, 2.5–5.3 × 0.8–1.8 mm, membranous, 1- or 2-keeled, keels smooth or slightly scabrid, margins free nearly to base, apex rounded or truncate. Achenes brown to dark brown, elliptic to obovoid, trigonous, (2–)2.5–3.5 × 0.8–1.6 mm, shortly beaked, nearly sessile. Stigmas (2 or)3. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
Dry and open grassy and rocky slopes, slopes in juniper scrub, disturbed slopes in Picea forests, grassy areas within Abies forests; 2000–4800 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang [Afghanistan, Bhutan, India (Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim), Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan].
Kobresia kashgarica, described from high elevations in Xinjiang, appears to be an extremely reduced form of K. capillifolia, but is also similar to K. myosuroides subsp. bistaminata; reduced forms of many species can be found – they appear to represent phenotypic responses to extreme habitats and (while often difficult to identify) do not merit specific treatment.
西藏嵩草 xi zang song cao
Kobresia capillifolia (Decaisne) C. B. Clarke var. tibetica (Maximowicz) Kükenthal.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent, brown to dark brown, dull, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, rigid and erect, subterete or upper part trigonous, 10–40 cm tall, 1–1.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, erect, shorter than culms; blade filiform (tubular in section), 0.5–1 mm wide. Inflorescence spicate, brown or dark brown, broadly and densely cylindric, 1–2.5 × 0.3–0.4 cm; terminal spikelets staminate, lower ones bisexual; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate or not. Bisexual spikelets with a basal pistillate flower and 2–4 distal staminate flowers. Glumes brown or dark brown, with pale midvein, oblong to ovate-oblong, 3.5–4.5 × 1.5–2.5 mm, obtuse, midvein narrow, margin narrowly hyaline or not. Prophylls pale colored to yellowish brown or occasionally brown, oblong-ovate, 2.1–3 × 1–1.4 mm, hyaline to very thinly membranous, usually without keels and veins, rarely obscurely keeled, margins free to base. Achenes brown or dark brown, oblong or narrowly ovoid-oblong, flattened-trigonous, slightly shorter than prophylls, 1.5–2.5(–3) × 1–1.4 mm, very shortly stipitate, shortly beaked. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Aug.
* Alpine swampy meadows, weedy plains, marshes, riversides; 2500–4600 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang.
This species is distinguished from Kobresia capillifolia with difficulty: the culm is wider, and longer in relation to the leaves; the spike shorter in proportion to breadth, and much shorter in proportion to the length of the culm (resembling an Eleocharis).
嵩草 song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, reddish brown to dark brown, dull or slightly shiny, margins and apices sometimes fibrillose, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, slightly stiff, obtusely trigonous or subterete, 3–30(–40) cm tall, 0.5–1 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than or ca. as long as culms; blades filiform (tubular in cross section), stiffly erect, 0.25–0.7 mm wide. Inflorescence a dense spike, reddish brown to brown, narrowly cylindric, 1–3 × 0.2–0.3 cm, lowest spikelets sometimes slightly distant; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate or not; a few terminal spikelets staminate, the rest bisexual (lower ones occasionally pistillate only). Bisexual spikelets with basal pistillate flower and 1(or 2) staminate flowers. Glumes yellowish- or reddish brown to dark brown, with pale midvein, ovate or oblong-ovate, 2–4 × 1.2–2.7 mm, submembranous, midvein very narrow, margin broadly to not or narrowly hyaline, apex acute or rounded. Prophylls pale below, brown above, oblong or oblong-ovate, 2.2–3.5 × 1–1.4 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels slightly scabrid, margins free to lower 1/3 or nearly to base, upper margin hyaline, apex rounded or acute. Achenes brown to dark brown, slightly shiny, oblong-obovoid, trigonous or flattened-trigonous, 1.8–3 (including beak) × 0.8–1 mm, shortly beaked, nearly sessile. Stigmas 2 or 3 (sometimes both on same plant). Fl. and fr. May–Sep. 2n = 56.
Moist or dry, open places in calcareous soils, alpine meadows, on rocks, dry ridges, grassy slopes, among shrubs; 1500–4500 m. Gansu, Hebei, Jilin, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang [Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia; Europe, North America].
1a.. Stigmas 3; glumes 2.5–4 mm, usually pale brown; achenes ca. 2.5 mm .. 28a. subsp. myosuroides
1b.. Stigmas usually 2, but sometimes 3, or a mixture of both on same plant; glumes dark brown; achenes 1.8–2.3 mm ............................................................................................... 28b. subsp. bistaminata
嵩草 song cao
Carex myosuroides Villars, Prosp. Hist. Pl. Dauphiné 17. 1779; C. affinis R. Brown; C. bellardi Allioni; Elyna myosuroides (Villars) Fritsch ex Janchen; E. spicata Schrader; Kobresia bellardi (Allioni) Degland ex Loiseleur-Deslongchamps; K. filiformis Dewey; K. scirpina Willdenow.
Basal sheaths reddish brown. Inflorescences 1–3 × 0.2–0.3 cm. Glumes yellowish brown or reddish brown to brown, 2.5–4 × 1.2–2 mm. Prophylls oblong, 2.5–3.5 × 1–1.3 mm. Achenes 2.5–3 (including beak) × 0.8–1 mm. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Sep. 2n = 56.
Moist or dry, open places in calcareous soils, alpine meadows, on rocks, dry ridges, grassy slopes, among shrubs; 1500–3500 m. Gansu, Hebei, Jilin, Nei Mongol, Shanxi, Xinjiang [Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia; Europe, North America].
??.. er zhu song cao
Kobresia bistaminata W. Z. Di & M. J. Zhong, Acta Bot. Boreal.-Occid. Sin. 6: 275. 1986.
Basal sheaths brown to dark brown. Inflorescence 1–2.5 × ca. 0.2 cm. Glumes pale brown to dark brown, 2–3 mm. Prophylls oblong or oblong-ovate, 2.2–2.8 mm. Achenes 1.8–2.3 mm (including beak). Stigmas usually 2 (sometimes 3, or both 2 and 3 on same plant). Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep.
*Alpine meadows, grassy slopes, among shrubs; 2100-4500 m. Gansu, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang.
The frequent bistigmatic tendency found in Chinese plants has not been noted elsewhere in the range of the widespread circumboreal Kobresia myosuroides. A similar tendency (though to a lesser degree) is also found in Chinese K. capillifolia. Further work may confirm that specific rank for the bistigmatic ‘Greater Tibetan’ taxon is more appropriate.
尼泊尔嵩草 ni po er song cao
Uncinia nepalensis Nees in Wight, Contr. Bot. India 129. 1834; Carex linearis Boott; C. linearis var. elachista C. B. Clarke.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, pale brown or brown, dull, fibrillose, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect and rigid, occasionally filiform, obtusely trigonous, (2–)10–44 cm tall, 0.7–1.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, ± equalling culms; blade filiform, margin involute, 0.3–1.1 mm wide. Inflorescence spicate, androgynous, linear, 1.5–8 × 0.2–0.5 cm, dense above, looser below; lowest bract glume-like, apex long aristate. Spikelets all unisexual, single-flowered. Staminate glumes narrowly oblong, ca. 7.5 × 1.5 mm, midvein green, sides papery, yellowish brown, margin not hyaline, apex obtuse. Pistillate glumes brown laterally, with green midvein, ovate to lanceolate, 3.3–5 × 2–2.4 mm, midvein broad, margin hyaline or not, apex mucronate, acute, or obtuse. Prophylls lower part pale green, apex brown, utriculiform, linear-oblong, 4–7.5 × 0.8–1.7 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels scabrid, margins open only near apex. Achenes narrowly oblong or oblanceolate, trigonous, stipitate and beaked, 3.5–6.5 (including beak and stipe) × 0.7–1 mm, beak 1.5–2.2 mm, stipe ca. 0.5 mm. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets green, linear, 1/4–2/3 as long as achene, margin ciliate. Fl. and fr. Jun–Oct.
Scree slopes, dry grassy slopes, on rocks, alpine shrubby meadows, damp rocky cliffs; 3600–4600 m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Sikkim, Uttaranchal), Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan].
尾穗嵩草 wei sui song cao
Carex cercostachys Franchet, Bull. Soc. Philom. Paris, sér. 8, 7: 27. 1895; Kobresia stiebritziana Handel-Mazzetti.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, brown or pale brown, dull, margins strongly fibrillose, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect or sometimes curved, rigid, obtusely trigonous, 5–35 cm tall, 0.7–1.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than or equalling culms; blade filiform, folded or involute, 1–2 mm wide, midrib not distinct abaxially. Inflorescence densely spicate, androgynous, brown, linear, 1.7–7 × 0.3–0.7 cm; lowest bract glume-like, apex obtuse, acute, or shortly aristate; upper spikelets staminate, the lower pistillate (rarely androgynous in lowest part of inflorescence). Staminate glumes brown, oblong-lanceolate, 4–6 mm, membranous, margin hyaline near apex. Pistillate glumes brown to dark brown, with pale brown or pale green midvein, oblong-lanceolate or lanceolate, 4–6.5(–7.5) × 1.5–2.3 mm, midvein narrow or broad, margin hyaline, apex acute or obtuse, occasionally aristate. Prophylls: lower part pale green, apex brown, narrowly oblong or lanceolate, 4.5–7 × 0.8–1 mm, papery, 2-keeled, keels scabrid, margins free to base, overlapping, apex truncate or notched, hyaline. Achenes narrowly oblong or oblanceolate, trigonous, shortly stipitate and beaked, 2.7–4 (excluding beak) × 0.6–1.2 mm wide, beak 0.5–1 mm. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets to 1/2 as long as achene, sometimes with vestigial glume(s) at apex. Fl. and fr. Jul–Oct.
Scree slopes, grassy slopes among shrubs, on rocks, alpine meadows; 3600–5000 m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Sikkim), Nepal].
三脉嵩草 san mai song cao
Carex esenbeckii Kunth, Enum. Pl. 2: 522. 1837; C. mutans Boott ex C. B. Clarke; C. trinervis Nees; Hemicarex trinervis (Nees) C. B. Clarke; Kobresia angusta C. B. Clarke; K. foliosa C. B. Clarke; K. hookeri Boeckeler; K. hookeri var. dioica C. B. Clarke; K. seticulmis Boeckeler; K. trinervis (Nees) Boeckeler.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, brown or dark brown, shiny, sometimes decaying to fibers, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, trigonous (sometimes obtusely), 3–32 cm tall, slender, 0.5–1 mm in diam. Leaves basal, ± equalling culms; blade flat, 1.5–5 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescence spicate, unisexual or androgynous, staminate and pistillate spikes sometimes borne on same plant; all spikelets single-flowered (occasionally a few at base bisexual with a single staminate flower). Staminate spikes compact, 3.5–5 × ca. 0.4 cm; staminate glumes yellowish brown, narrowly oblong, 7–8.5 × 1.5–2 mm, 1-veined, margin broadly hyaline, apex obtuse. Pistillate and androgynous spikes linear, 1.7–6.5 × 0.15–0.4 cm, spikelets usually loosely arranged; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate. Pistillate glumes brown laterally, with green midvein, oblong or ovate, 2.2–4 × 1–2 mm, midvein narrow, margin narrowly hyaline, apex mucronate, acute, or obtuse. Prophylls utriculiform when young, splitting to base when mature, pale brown, linear-oblong, 2–3.7 × 0.4–0.7 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels ciliate, apex truncate and rounded. Achenes narrowly oblong or elliptic, curved or not, very shortly stipitate and beaked, 2.5–3.7 (excluding beak) × 0.7–1 mm, stipe ca. 0.5 mm, beak 0.8–2 mm. Stigmas 3, twisted, white in field, thick. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets linear, minute, to 1/4 as long as achene. Fl. and fr. May–Oct.
Wet rocks, in crevices of cliffs, grassy slopes, lakeshores, on trees; 2800–4300(–4900) m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttaranchal), Nepal].
柄果嵩草 bing guo song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, brown, dull, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, triquetrous or obtusely trigonous, 3–14 cm tall, slender, ca. 0.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than to exceeding culms; blade flat, 1.5–2 mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially. Inflorescences spicate, unisexual, dense above, looser below, staminate and pistillate inflorescences borne on same plant; all spikelets unisexual, single-flowered; lowest bract of pistillate spikes glume-like, apex obtuse. Staminate spikes linear, ca. 1.5 × 0.3 cm; glumes reddish brown, oblong, 6–7 × ca. 2 mm, 1-veined, margin hyaline, apex obtuse. Pistillate spikes linear, 2.2–4 × 0.2–0.3 cm; glumes brown or reddish brown laterally, with green midvein, oblong or narrowly ovate, 3.5–5 × 1–1.5 mm, midvein narrow, margin of upper parts hyaline, apex rounded or obtuse. Prophylls pale brown or brown, oblong or elliptic-oblong, 2–3 × 0.5–0.9 mm, membranous, not keeled, margins open to base even in juvenile stage, apex rounded. Achenes narrowly oblong, trigonous, stipitate and beaked, 2–3.5 (excluding beak) × 0.5–0.9 mm in diam., stipe 0.6–0.7 mm, beak 1–1.5 mm. Stigmas 3, curved, slender. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets linear, minute. Fl. and fr. Jun–Aug.
Grassy slopes, on rocks and cliff ledges; 3200–4300 m. Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim), Nepal].
镰叶嵩草 lian ye song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, dark brown, dull, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, trigonous, 12–15 cm tall, slender, ca. 1 mm in diam. Leaves basal, slightly shorter than or ± equalling culms; blade flat, slightly curved and falcate, 2–3.7 mm wide. Inflorescence moderately densely spicate, androgynous, oblong, 1.5–2 × 0.3–0.4 cm; all spikelets single-flowered, terminal 3 or 4 staminate, others pistillate; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate, arista to 9 mm. Staminate glumes brown, lanceolate, 5–6 mm, membranous. Pistillate glumes brown laterally, with yellowish brown midvein, narrowly oblong, 6–6.5 (excluding arista) × ca. 2 mm, papery, margin of upper parts very narrowly hyaline, apex rounded and aristate, arista 1–1.5 mm. Prophylls yellow in lower part, upper parts and margin brown, linear-oblong, 5–5.5 × 0.5–0.7 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels scabrid, margins open to base even in juvenile stage, apex rounded. Achenes narrowly oblong, trigonous, 4.8–5.2 mm (including beak), beak ca. 2 mm, included in prophylls when mature. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets linear, minute, ca. 1/5 as long as achene. Fl. and fr. Jul–Aug.
* In rock crevices; 2800–4000 m. Gansu, Sichuan.
短轴嵩草 duan zhou song cao
Carex vidua Boott ex C. B. Clarke in J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. India 6: 713. 1894; Kobresia harrysmithii Kükenthal; K. prattii C. B. Clarke.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, brown to dark brown, slightly shiny, not fibrillose, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, stiffly erect, subterete, (1.5–)3–20 cm tall, slender, 0.8–1(–2) mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter to longer than culms; blade erect, filiform, 0.5–1.1 mm wide, margin involute. Inflorescence spicate, unisexual; all spikelets single-flowered. Staminate spikes pale brown, narrowly ellipsoid, (0.7–)1–2.5 × 0.2–0.5 cm; staminate glumes pale brown laterally, with yellow midvein, linear-oblong, 4.5–7 × 1–3 mm, apex obtuse. Pistillate spikes compact or slightly lax, brown and partly green, linear or cylindric, 1.3–3.5 × 0.2–0.4 cm; lowest bract glume-like. Pistillate glumes brown or chestnut-brown laterally, with green midvein, oblong-ovate, 1.9–5 × 1.3–2.4 mm, papery, midvein very broad (ca. 1/3 width of glume), margin narrowly hyaline, apex rounded or mucronate. Prophylls: lower parts pale green, upper parts brown or chestnut-brown, utriculiform, elliptic or oblong, 2.2–4 × 0.6–1.7 mm, papery, 2-keeled, keels ciliate or smooth, margins fused to apex. Achenes pale brown, oblong or elliptic, trigonous, 1.6–3.5 × 0.9–1.3 mm, very shortly stipitate, shortly beaked, beak 0.4–1 mm. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets less than 1/2 as long as achene. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
Grassy slopes, alpine meadows, on rocks, among shrubs; 3000–5100 m. Gansu, Qinghai, ?Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Sikkim), Nepal].
纤细嵩草 xian xi song cao
Kobresia gracilis Y. C. Yang, Acta Biol. Plateau Sin. 2: 10. 1984, non Meinshausen (1901).
Rhizomes very short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, brown, dull, fibrillose, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, subtriquetrous, 8–23 cm tall, slender, less than 0.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than to ± equalling culms; blade filiform, thinner than culms, margin involute. Inflorescence spicate, unisexual, all spikelets single-flowered. Staminate spikes pale brown, linear, occasionally with 1 or 2 pistillate spikelets at base; staminate glumes pale brown, oblong, ca. 4 mm, membranous, apex acute or rounded. Pistillate spike compact, brown or pale brown, linear or cylindrical, (0.5–)1–2 × 0.1–0.2 cm; lowest bract glume-like, apex rounded; pistillate glumes brown or chestnut-brown laterally, with green midvein, oblong-ovate, 3–3.5 mm, membranous, midvein broad, margin narrowly hyaline, apex rounded. Prophylls yellowish green, utriculiform, narrowly elliptic, 2–3 × 0.7–1 mm, membranous, apex brown, 2-keeled, keels smooth, margins fused to apex. Achenes pale brown, oblong, trigonous or compressed-trigonous, very shortly stipitate, shortly beaked, 1.5–2.5 mm, beak ca. 0.8 mm. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets narrowly lanceolate, ca. 1/2 as long as achene. Fl. and fr. Aug.
* Grassy slopes, grasslands among Quercus; 3600–4400 m. Sichuan.
康藏嵩草 kang zang song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, very pale brown, dull, not fibrillose, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, rigid, erect, subterete, 10–25 cm tall, 1–2 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter than or ± equalling culms; blade filiform, stiffly erect, ca. 1 mm wide, margin involute. Inflorescence spicate, usually unisexual; all spikelets single-flowered. Staminate spikes linear or linear-oblong, 1.7–3 × 0.4–0.5 cm, occasionally with a few pistillate spikelets at base; staminate glumes yellowish brown to brown, with pale green midvein, lanceolate, margin broadly hyaline, apex obtuse. Pistillate spikes slightly lax, pale brown, linear, 1.5–4 × 0.2–0.3 cm; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate or not; pistillate glumes brown or yellowish brown laterally, with pale green midvein, ovate to lanceolate, 4–6 × 1.5–2 mm, margin narrowly hyaline, apex acute. Prophylls pale brown or brown, utriculiform, oblong or lanceolate, 3.5–5 × 1.2–1.3 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels ciliate, margins fused to middle part or to apex, apex rounded. Achenes oblong, trigonous, 2–2.7 × ca. 1 mm, not stipitate, not beaked. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets linear, flat, ca. 1/2 as long as achene or slightly longer. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
* Grassy slopes, alpine meadows, alpine shrubby meadows, rocky and sandy grassy slopes; 4300–5300 m. ?Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang.
不丹嵩草 bu dan song cao
Kobresia prainii var. elliptica Y. C. Yang; K. utriculata C. B. Clarke.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, pale brown, dull, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, rigid, subterete, 3–10(–25) cm tall, slender, 0.5–1 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter to longer than culms; blade erect or recurved, filiform, less than 0.5 mm wide, margin involute. Inflorescence spicate, unisexual; all spikelets single-flowered. Staminate spikes cream to pale brown, narrowly elliptic, often curved, 6–13 × 2–5 mm; staminate glumes whitish or pale brown, linear-lanceolate, 5.5–7.5 × 0.8–1 mm, membranous, apex obtuse. Pistillate spike slightly lax, pale brown, linear-elliptic or narrowly oblong, 1–2 × 0.2–0.3 cm; lowest bract glume-like, blunt; pistillate glumes brown or yellowish brown laterally, with paler midvein, ovate to lanceolate, 3.5–6 × 1–1.5 mm, midvein narrow, margin narrowly hyaline, apex acute or obtuse. Prophylls lower parts yellowish green, upper parts brown, utriculiform, oblong, 2.5–3 × 0.8–1 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels ciliate, margins fused to apex, apex rounded. Achenes brown, oblong or elliptic, trigonous, 1.8–2.4 × 0.7–1 mm, not stipitate, not beaked. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets linear, less than 1/2 as long as to almost equalling achene. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
Grassy slopes, alpine meadows, rocky and grassy slopes; 3300–5600 m. Xizang [Bhutan, India (Sikkim), Nepal].
高山嵩草 gao shan song cao
Elyna pygmaea C. B. Clarke, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 20: 383. 1883; Kobresia pygmaea var. filiculmis Kükenthal; K. microstachya N. A. Ivanova.
Plants usually extremely densely tufted, forming turf or cushions. Basal sheaths persistent, brown or pale brown, dull, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms stiffly erect, obtusely trigonous, very short, (0.4–)1–10 cm tall, ca. 0.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, ca. as long as culms; blades erect, filiform, 0.3–0.5 mm wide, margin involute. Inflorescence a dense ovoid spike, brown, 0.3–10 × 0.1–0.3 cm, androgynous; lowest bract glume-like, apex sometimes shortly aristate; all spikelets unisexual, terminal spikelets staminate, lower ones pistillate (occasionally with a sterile glume within prophyll). Staminate glumes brown, oblong-lanceolate, ca. 4 × 1.8 mm, membranous. Pistillate glumes brown, with yellowish green to green midvein, ovate or oblong-ovate, 2–3.5 × 2–2.5 mm, papery, midvein broad, margin narrowly hyaline, apex acute or obtuse. Prophylls brown, oblong or elliptic, 2–2.5 × 1–1.2 mm, membranous, 1- or 2-keeled, keels smooth or slightly scabrid, margins free to base, sometimes overlapping, apex truncate. Achenes brown to dark brown, shiny, obovoid, trigonous, 1.5–2 × ca. 1 mm, very shortly beaked and stipitate. Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
Dry and open grassy places, wet alpine meadows, on turf in wet habitats, rocky slopes, on sand and gravel beside rivers; 3100–5600 m. Gansu, Hebei, Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Shanxi, Sichuan, ?Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttaranchal), Kashmir, Nepal].
夏河嵩草 xia he song cao
Kobresia setschwanensis Handel-Mazzetti subsp. squamiformis (Y. C. Yang) S. R. Zhang.
Rhizomes short, plants densely tufted. Basal sheaths persistent, brown, dull, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms stiffly erect, obtusely trigonous, very short, 9–16 cm tall, ca. 0.8 mm in diam. Leaves basal, ca. as long as culms; blade erect, filiform, ca. 0.5 mm wide, margin involute. Inflorescence a dense spike, brown, cylindric, 1–1.5 × 0.3–0.5 cm, androgynous; lowest bract glume-like, apex shortly aristate; spikelets usually all unisexual, terminal few staminate, lower ones pistillate (occasionally with a single reduced staminate flower within prophyll). Staminate glumes brown, with yellowish green midvein, lanceolate, ca. 3.5 × 1.5 mm, apex rounded. Pistillate glumes brown, with yellowish green midvein, ovate or oblong-ovate, 3–3.5 × 1.8–2.5 mm, papery, midvein broad, margin very narrowly hyaline, apex rounded. Prophylls brown, oblong, 3–3.8 × 1.2–1.5 mm, membranous, 2-keeled, keels smooth, margins free to base. Achenes brown to dark brown, shiny, oblong-elliptic, trigonous, 2.3–2.5 × 1.3–1.6 mm, not beaked, not stipitate. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets much shorter than to almost equalling achene, sometimes bearing a vestigial male glume. Fl. and fr. Jul–Oct.
* Grassy slopes; 2900–3600 m. Gansu (Xiahe), Qinghai (Zekog).
This appears to form a link between Kobresia pygmaea and K. setschwanensis; it seems more logical to recognize it as a distinct species than as a slender subspecies of the latter – when it could equally well be made a robust subspecies of the former.
发秆嵩草 fa gan song cao
Kobresia cercostachys (Franchet) C. B. Clarke var. capillacea P. C. Li.
Rhizomes short, or shortly and obliquely elongated, plants forming a turf. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, reddish brown or pale brown, dull, fibrillose, not retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect or curved, subterete, 3.5–10 cm tall, slender, ca. 0.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, equalling or exceeding culms; blade filiform, flaccid, ca. 0.5 mm wide, margin involute. Inflorescence spicate, linear, rather lax, usually unisexual, occasionally gynaecandrous or androgynous, plants with staminate and pistillate inflorescences on same individual, or sometimes dioecious; spikelets unisexual. Staminate spikes 1.5–3 × ca. 0.2 cm; staminate glumes oblong-lanceolate, 6–8 × 1.2–2 mm, midvein green, margin and apex hyaline. Pistillate spikes 2–3.5 × ca. 0.2 cm, lowest bract glume-like, apex acute or shortly aristate; pistillate glumes brown, with pale brown or pale green midvein, lanceolate, 5–6.2 × 1.7–2 mm, midvein narrow, margin broadly hyaline, apex subacute or obtuse. Prophylls lower part yellow, upper part and margin brown, linear, 4.7–5.7 × ca. 0.7 mm, 2-keeled, keels scabrid, margins free to base, apex truncate, hyaline. Achenes narrowly oblong or oblanceolate, trigonous, shortly stipitate and beaked, 3.5–4 (excluding beak) × 0.6–1.2 mm, beak 0.5–1 mm. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets to 1/2 as long as achene. Fl. and fr. Jul–Sep.
Dry slopes, on rocks in alpine meadows; 4000–4800 m. Xizang, Yunnan [India (Sikkim), ?Nepal].
禾叶嵩草 he ye song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, pale brown or yellowish brown, dull or slightly shiny, margins and apices fibrillose, not or retaining a few dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect and rigid, obscurely trigonous, (7–)20–45 cm tall, 1–1.5 mm in diam. Leaves basal, shorter to longer than culms; blade semicircular or V-shaped in transverse section, 0.5–1.5 mm wide, midrib not usually distinct abaxially. Inflorescence ± densely spicate, usually unisexual (sometimes androgynous or gynaecandrous), staminate and pistillate spikes borne on same plant. Staminate inflorescence narrowly cylindric or narrowly ellipsoid, 1.5–3(–5) × 0.3–0.6 cm; staminate glumes narrowly oblong, 6–8(–10) × 1–2 mm, margin narrowly hyaline, apex rounded. Pistillate inflorescence brown, narrowly cylindric, 2.5–7.5 × 0.3–0.6 cm, lower spikelets distant; lowest bract glume-like, apex acute or shortly aristate; pistillate glumes brown, with paler midvein, oblong-ovate or narrowly triangular-ovate, 5–6 × 1.5–2 mm, midvein narrow, margin very narrowly hyaline, apex acute or obtuse. Prophylls lower part pale green, apex brown, narrowly oblong-elliptic, 4–6 × 0.8–1.8 mm, papery, 2-keeled, keels scabrid, margins free to base or fused in lower 1/4, not overlapping, apex truncate or notched. Achenes narrowly elliptic or oblanceolate, trigonous, very shortly stipitate and shortly beaked, 3.5–5.5 (including stipe and beak) × 0.8–1.5 mm. Stigmas 3. Sterile rachilla of pistillate spikelets 1.2–2 mm, less than ½ length of achene. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep.
Grassy slopes, among shrubs, on mossy rocks, alpine meadows; 3100–4700 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Nepal].
This is possibly a form of Kobresia cercostachys, which it resembles (especially in its fibrillose leaf sheaths and somewhat intermediate leaf morphology), but differs in its (usually) contrasting pistillate and staminate spikes.
阔鳞嵩草 kuo lin song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths prominent and persistent, inner ones straw-colored, outer ones chocolate-brown with darker margins, slightly shiny, not fibrillose, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect and rigid, subterete, 24–28 cm tall, ca. 1 mm in diam. Leaves basal, slightly longer than culms; blade filiform, semicircular or V-shaped in transverse section, ca. 1.5 mm wide, midrib not distinct abaxially. Inflorescence spicate, narrowly cylindric, unisexual, staminate and pistillate spikes borne on same plant. Staminate inflorescence ca. 4 × 0.3 cm; staminate glumes oblong-oblanceolate, ca. 8 × 2.5 mm, margin narrowly hyaline, apex rounded. Pistillate inflorescence dense, lower spikelets sometimes distant, brown, ca. 6 × 0.6 cm; lowest bract glume-like, apex aristate, arista ca. 5 mm; pistillate glumes brown laterally, with green midvein, oblong-ovate, 6.2–8 × 2.5–3.9 mm, midvein broad, margin very narrowly hyaline or not hyaline, apex obtuse. Prophylls lower part pale brown, apex brown, linear-oblong, 7–10 × 1–1.5 mm, papery, 2-keeled, keels minutely scabrid, margins free to base, overlapping. Achenes linear, obscurely trigonous, body ca. 2.5 mm × 0.7 mm, stipe ca. 1 mm, beaked with stout style base (ca. 1.5 mm). Stigmas 3. Fl. and fr. May–Sep.
Grasslands, alpine meadows; 3300–4800 m. Xizang (Chumbi Valley) [Bhutan].
高原嵩草 gao yuan song cao
Kobresia coninux F. T. Wang & T. Tang; K. daqingshanica X. Y. Mao; K. helanshanica W. Z. Di & M. J. Zhong.
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths pale brown to brown, dull, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, erect, obtusely trigonous, 2–15 cm tall, 0.7–1 mm in diam. (relatively stout for length). Leaves basal, shorter than or ± equalling culms, sometimes recurved; blade flat, folded at base (V-shaped in cross section), 1–1.5(–2) mm wide, midrib distinct abaxially or not. Inflorescence densely spicate (occasionally branched in lower part), brown, narrowly elliptic or narrowly ovate-oblong, 0.5–1.2 × 0.3–0.4 cm; lowest bract glume-like, apex shortly aristate. Terminal spikelets of inflorescence staminate, lower ones bisexual with 1 basal pistillate flower and (1 or)2–5 distal staminate flowers. Glumes brown or pale brown, with yellowish green or green midvein, oblong, ovate, or lanceolate, 3.2–5 × 1.5–2.5 mm, margin hyaline or not, apex obtuse or acute. Prophylls pale brown, oblong, ovate-oblong, or elliptic, 2.9–4 × 1–2 mm, membranous, abaxially sometimes hairy, 2-keeled, keels scabrid, margins open to base, apex truncate or bidentate. Achenes brown and shiny, elliptic or oblong-obovate, flattened, body 1.6–2.5 × 0.8–1.5 mm, shortly stipitate, very shortly beaked. Stigmas 2. Fl. and fr. May–Oct.
* Exposed dry slopes, alpine meadows, shaded places, marshes; 3100–5300 m. Gansu, Hebei, Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang.
This species is similar to Kobresia humilis, differing largely in its bistigmatic achenes.
喀拉昆仑嵩草 ka la kun lun song cao
Rhizomes short. Basal sheaths pale brown to brown, dull, retaining dried leaf blades. Culms densely tufted, dwarf, erect and rigid, subterete in lower part, trigonous above, (2–)3–15(–20) cm tall, 0.5–0.7 mm in diam. Leaves basal, usually shorter than culms; blade V-shaped in section, recurved, 1–2.5 mm wide, midrib not distinct abaxially. Inflorescence spicate (rarely compound), brown or dark brown, densely and broadly cylindric, 0.5–1.2 × 0.2–0.4 cm; lowest bract glume-like. Terminal spikelets of inflorescence staminate, lower ones bisexual with 1 basal pistillate flower and (1 or)2(or 3) distal staminate flowers. Glumes brown or dark brown, with pale midvein, ovate, 2.5–3 × ca. 2 mm, midvein narrow, margin very narrowly or not hyaline, apex obtuse. Prophylls pale brown at upper part, narrowly elliptic, ca. 3.3 × 0.9 mm, membranous, glabrous, hyaline at base, obscurely 2-keeled, margins connate in lower quarter (to half). Achenes brown or pale brown, oblong-elliptic, flattened, body ca. 1.5 × 0.9 mm, stipe ca. 0.5 mm, very shortly beaked. Stigmas 2. Fl. and fr. Jul–Sep.
High alpine turf; (3100–)3800–5000 m. Xinjiang, Xizang [Afghanistan, India (Himachal Pradesh), Kashmir, ?Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan].
This is, perhaps, a western form of Kobresia pusilla, but it is also close to K. myosuroides subsp. bistaminata.