About Calamagrostis varia (Schrad.) Host
Calamagrostis varia (Schrad.) Host is a perennial, caespitose grass species with short rhizomes. Its erect culms grow 30–120 centimetres (12–47 in) long. It produces an eciliate, lacerate, obtuse ligule that measures 2–4 millimetres (0.079–0.157 in) long. Leaf blades are 10–25 centimetres (3.9–9.8 in) long and 4–9 millimetres (0.16–0.35 in) wide, with glabrous lower surfaces. The inflorescence is an open, linear panicle 5–20 centimetres (2.0–7.9 in) long, with scabrous branches. Its fertile spikelets are lanceolate, 4–6 millimetres (0.16–0.24 in) long, and each holds one fertile floret. The floret has a hairy callus that extends 0.5–0.75 millimetres (0.020–0.030 in) beyond the lemma. The fertile lemma is oblong, membranous, keelless, and matches the spikelet in length at 4–6 mm. The lemma has an asperulous surface and a dentate apex. The awn of the main lemma is geniculated, 1–3 millimetres (0.039–0.118 in) long, and extends 0–0.1 millimetres (0.0000–0.0039 in) beyond the lemma. The species has lanceolate, membranous glumes that are 4–6 millimetres (0.16–0.24 in) long; the upper glume has an acuminate apex. The rhachilla is 1 millimetre (0.039 in) long and pilose. Its flowers have two lodicules, two stigmas, and three stamens that are 1.5 millimetres (0.059 in) long. Fruits are caryopses with an additional pericarp.
