Stephanachne pappophorea (Hackel) Keng var. monandra P. C. Kuo & S. L. Lu, Rep. Invest. Zool. Bot. Ngari Region Tibet [Xizang Ali Diqu Dong Zhi Wu Kao Cha Bao Gao], 106, 127. 1979.

Perennial, tufted. Culms erect, 30–50 cm tall, 1–2 mm in diam., scabrid, 2–3-noded. Leaf sheaths tight; leaf blades involute, 10–25 cm, 1–3 mm wide, both surfaces scabrid, apex acuminate; ligule 2–3 mm, toothed. Panicle linear-oblong in outline, spikelike, not interrupted, 4–6 cm, slightly shining; branches smooth; pedicels 1–5 mm, shortly hairy. Spikelets 7–9 mm, green tipped purple; rachilla extension unknown; glumes lanceolate, 3–5-veined, midvein scaberulous, apex acuminate; lemma 6–7 mm (including lobes), body pilose, apical lobes extended into 1.5–3 mm awnlets, circlet of hairs 2.5–3 mm; awn 7.5–9 mm, weakly geniculate below middle, column slightly twisted; palea 3–4 mm. Lodicules 2, 0.55–1.3 mm. Stamen 1, anther 0.7–1 mm. Fl. Aug.

* Under shrubs on mountain slopes; 4400–4700 m. SW Xizang (Burang, Gê'gyai).