Piptatherum
Piptatherum
a genus of perennial tufted grasses of the family Gramineae. The inflorescence is a lax panicle, and the spikelets are usually large, one-flowered, and on pedicels. The lemma is awned. There are about 50 species distributed in temperate and subtropical zones of the northern hemisphere. Approximately 15 species are found in the USSR, mainly in Middle Asia. The plants grow on rocky slopes, scree, and boulders. The species P. latifolium, P. laterale, and P. songaricum are good pasture plants. The grains of P. holciforme, P. kokanica, and P. latifolium serve as fodder for domestic poultry. The Piptatherum are often combined with the genus Oryzopsis.