Description from
Flora of China
Corispermum macrocarpum var. elongatum P. Y. Fu & W. Wang, p.p.; C. macrocarpum var. microstachyum P. Y. Fu & W. Wang; C. macrocarpum var. rubrum P. Y. Fu & W. Wang.
Plants 20-50 cm. Stem erect, green or slightly reddish purple, much branched; lower branches ascending, upper ones obliquely spreading. Leaves green, linear, 4-7 cm × 1.5-5 mm, 1-veined, base attenuate, apex acuminate, mucronate. Spikelike inflorescence clavate, slightly curved, crowded, usually 7-12 × 1-1.5 cm; bracts lanceolate to ovate, smaller than leaves, subherbaceous, usually 3-veined, base rounded, margin membranous, apex acute or acuminate. Perianth segments 1(or 3). Stamens usually 5, exserted from perianth. Utricle usually dark brown punctate, broadly elliptic or obovate-oblong, 5-6 × 3.5-4.2 mm, glabrous or covered with stellate hairs, base rounded or cordate, apex emarginate; wing lighter colored than body, 1.2-1.5 mm wide, margin entire or slightly irregularly denticulate; beak 1-1.5 mm, apex 1/5-1/4 as long as beak. Fl. and fr. Jul-Sep.
Several minor forms and varieties were described under this species (e.g., var. elongatum and var. microstachyum). Plants with pubescent utricles were treated as var. rubrum. However, pubescence of utricles and shape of inflorescences are very variable characters in this species. Sometimes initially pubescent utricles become glabrous at maturity.
Dunes. Heilongjiang, W Liaoning [Russia (Far East)].