Aristida alpina L. Liu

This species is very similar to Aristida triseta, but with somewhat larger spikelet parts.

Perennial forming small tough tussocks. Culms erect, 15–25 cm tall, unbranched, upper part dark-gray, terminal node usually included in uppermost leaf sheath. Leaf sheaths glabrous, pilose at mouth (hairs ca. 2 mm), tightly overlapping; leaf blades gray-green, involute or rarely flat, 4–18 cm, abaxial surface smooth, adaxial surface scabrid. Panicle narrow, 4–10 cm; branches 2–5 cm, appressed to main axis. Spikelets dark-purple or brown; glumes subequal with upper slightly longer, 1.2–1.3 cm, lanceolate, 1-veined, scabrid on upper part and vein, apiculate; callus ca. 0.5 mm, bearded with ca. 0.8 mm hairs, obtuse; lemma ca. 9 mm, dark purple, scabrid in upper part, awns arising directly from lemma apex; central awn 8–9 mm, lateral awns 4–6 mm. Anthers ca. 3 mm. Fl. and fr. summer and autumn.

Xizang.

* Dry mountain slopes; ca. 4500 m.