宁远嵩草 ning yuan song cao

Schoenoxiphium kuekenthalianum (Handel-Mazzetti) K. V. 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 ± equal in length, slightly spreading; lowest involucral bract glumelike, apex aristate. Inflorescence branches androgynous, with 1 (perhaps sometimes more) basal female spikelet, and ca. 6 upper and terminal male 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 2-toothed. Immature nutlets 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. S 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.