西南菅草 xi nan jian cao

Anthistiria hookeri Grisebach, Nachr. Königl. Ges. Wiss. Georg-Augusts-Univ. 3: 91. 1868.

Perennial, with slender rhizomes. Culms very slender, decumbent at base, 20–60 cm tall. Leaf sheaths glabrous; leaf blades 3–13 × 0.2–0.5 cm, scabrid, glabrous or thinly hispid with long, fine, tubercle-based hairs, apex filiform; ligule ca. 0.5 mm, ciliolate. Compound panicle sparse, composed of single racemes arising from upper leaf axils, usually subtended only by a spatheole without accompanying spathes; spatheoles linear, 3–6 cm, glabrous; peduncle glabrous. Raceme composed of 1–2 spikelet pairs and a terminal triad above the involucre of 2 homogamous pairs. Homogamous spikelets arising at different levels, staminate, 12–18 mm, lanceolate with narrow lateral wings, glabrous or thinly hispid. Sessile spikelet 4.5–5.5 mm; callus ca. 1.5 mm, narrowly cuneate; lower glume pallid, dorsally compressed, shortly pubescent especially near apex or subglabrous; awn 2.5–4 cm, weakly geniculate. Pedicelled spikelet 10–11 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun–Nov.

Mountain slopes, rocky places, in the open or in shade; 1100–3400 m. Guizhou, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [India (Sikkim), Nepal].

This slender, upland species is recognizable by its few racemes, which usually arise singly from the upper leaf axils instead of being gathered into spathate clusters.