Epidermal cells of abaxial side of leaf with thin, ± straight walls; silica cells absent. Spikes usually greyish-purple, glumes of central spikelet about as long as the lemma, those of the laterals longer than the lemma; hairs on lemma long, dense and ± curled; lemma of central spikelet long-awned (usually more than 3 mm).

Type: Tian Shan, Rajkova 537a (K, LE).

Distribution: Pakistan (N.W.F.P. & Kashmir); Afghanistan, Tadzhikstan and western China.