Culms seldom exceeding 50 cm in height; basal sheaths hardly coiled; ligule (1-)2-4 mm long.

Fl. & Fr. Per.: subsp. jwarancusa. March-May and again in September; subsp, olivieri, April-September.

Type: Iraq, Aucher 2955 (K).

Distribution: Pakistan (Sind, Baluchistan, Punjab, N.W.F.P. & Gilgit): westwards to Iraq and Socotra; also in Nepal and Northwest India.

Lemon scented grass is found in dry grassland.

Although these two taxa are sympatric over much of Pakistan and are morphologically extremely alike, their marked geographical and ecological differences over their whole range are sufficient to warrant separation at subspecific level. The basal parts are essential for accurate determination so many herbarium specimens which. lack them must remain of doubtful affinity.