藏虫实 zang chong shi

Corispermum ladakhianum Grey-Wilson & Wadhwa.

Plants 5-20 cm tall. Stem branching mostly from base; lower branches ascending or prostrate, upper ones obliquely spreading. Leaves linear, 2-3.5 cm, 1-veined, base attenuate, apex acute, mucronate. Spikelike inflorescence elongate, terete, loose, 2-7 cm; bracts narrowly ovate, sometimes slightly sickle-shaped, narrower than or as wide as utricle, margin narrowly membranous. Perianth segment 1, suborbicular, apex irregularly denticulate. Stamens 1-5. Utricle broadly elliptic or oblong-elliptic, 3-4 × 2-2.5 mm, glabrous, base subcordate or rounded, apex acute or rounded; wing light yellow, 1/6-1/3 as wide as body, margin irregularly denticulate; beak ca. 1 mm, apex ca. 1/3 as long as beak. Fl. and fr. Jul-Sep.

Sandy places, riversides; high elevations. Qinghai, Xizang [Kashmir, Pakistan; C Asia (Pamir mountains)].