Carex koshewnikovii Litv. subsp. chitralensis (Nelmes) Dickoré in Stapfia 39: 48. 1995.

Loosely tufted, 15-30 cm. Rhizome with ascending subterranean stolons. Stem from terete to obtusely trigonous. Leaves up to equalling stem length; sheaths 25-50 mm, pale brown, often with reddish tint, disintegrating into a fibrous net; ligule ciliate; blades 1-1.5 mm wide, flat, keeled, margins recurved, apex long-attenuate, margins and upper surface scabrous towards apex. Inflorescence of 1-2 male and 1-2 female spikes, spikes sometimes androgynous. Lowest bracts frequently overtopping the inflorescence, with sheath 4-10 mm. Male spikes 7-20 mm, cylindrical, ellipsoid or club-shaped; male glumes 3.5-4.5 x 1.4-1.5 mm, ovate, obtuse or acute and with mucro to 0.4 mm. Female spikes 5-15 x 4-6 mm, from almost globular to cylindrical, lower with peduncle to 15 mm; female glumes 3.5-4.5 x 1.5-2.3 mm, ovate, acute, with mucro to 0.3 mm, brown to reddish brown, margins widely scarious; utricles 4.5-4.9 x 1-1.4 mm, from narrowly obovoid to lanceolate, hispid, green or often reddish, beak 0.5-1 mm, green to reddish brown, ostiole from oblique to bidentate. Stigmas 3. Nut 4.5-4.7 x 1.3-1.4 mm, with a 0.4-0.8 mm stipe and 1-1.5 mm style base, obovoid, triangular, yellow or light brown, obscurely reticulate and papillose.

Fl. Per.: April-July.

Holotype: Pakistan, Chitral, Tirich Mir, Barum Col, c. 3600 m, 23.7.1950 P. Wendelbo s.n. (O!) isotypes (O! RAW!).

On rock ledges; Distribution: From Afghanistan to Kashmir.

From Afghanistan, Baghlan, there is only one specimen, Podlech 11074 (M-Podlech!). C. koshwnikowii Litw. is a related, more robust species, which occurs from Pamir-Alaj to Tian-Shan Mts. Another related species is C. litwinowii Kük. from Tian Shan Mts. Their relation to C. chitralensis requires further study.