Oreocalamus utilis Keng, Sunyatsenia 4: 148. 1940.

Culms 5–7(–10) m tall, 2–3.5(–5) cm in diam.; internodes terete or slightly 4-angled, 20–30 cm, initially white pubescent; wall ca. 7 mm; nodes weakly raised, nodal ridges flat or slightly prominent, persistent culm sheath base tomentose. Culm sheaths deciduous, fulvous, with sparse, off-white spots, shorter than internodes, margins ciliate; ligule slightly arched, 0.5–1.2 mm; blade triangular-subulate, 4–7 mm, articulate. Leaves (1 or)2(–5) per ultimate branch; sheaths 3–6 cm, glabrous; ligule arcuate or truncate, 1–2 mm; pseudopetiole 2–5 mm; leaf blade lanceolate, abaxially gray-green, adaxially deep green, (5–)14–16 × (1–)2–2.5 cm, glabrous, 5–7-veined. Inflorescence branches subtended by 4 or 5, persistent, gradually enlarged bracts. Spikelets 2.5–4.5 cm; florets 4–7. Glumes 1–3, 6–9 mm, 7–9-veined; rachilla internodes 4–6 mm, glabrous; lemma ovate-triangular, 1–1.2 cm, glabrous; palea 8–10 mm, 2–4-veined between keels, 1- or 2-veined on each flank, apex obtuse or retuse; lodicules 2–3 mm, posterior oblong-lanceolate, anterior pair subovate. Anthers 5–6 mm. Ovary ovoid, glabrous; style minute, divided close to base; stigmas 2, ca. 2.5 mm. Caryopsis nutlike, ellipsoidal, 10–15 × 6–8 mm in diam., pericarp 1.5–2.5 mm thick. Fl. Apr.

* 1000–2100 m. Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan.