Phalaris phleoides Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 55. 1753.

Perennial, densely tufted. Culms erect or often geniculate at base, 15–75 cm tall, 2–4-noded. Leaf sheaths smooth, loose; leaf blades 2–20 cm, 1–5 mm wide, the upper shorter than the lower, adaxial surface and margins scabrid, apex acuminate; ligule 1–3 mm, obtuse. Panicle narrowly cylindrical, gradually tapering to apex, 2.5–10 × 0.4–0.7 cm, gray-green; branches free from central axis. Spikelets oblong, 2–3 mm; rachilla extension present; glumes oblong, membranous, keel scabrid, apex obtuse, abruptly narrowed into a stout, 0.3–0.7 mm, scabrid mucro; lemma 1.5–2 mm, 5-veined, glabrous or puberulent, apex obtuse; anthers 1–1.5 mm. Caryopsis 1.3–1.5 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep. 2n = 14.

Grassy mountain slopes, among shrubs, forest margins; 800–2600 m. Heilongjiang, Nei Mongol, N Xinjiang [Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan; NW Africa, SW Asia (Caucasus), Europe].