Elymus helveticus – eine neue Art aus den Schweizer Alpen

Abstract

Elymus helveticus Schmid-Hollinger is described as a new species from the Swiss Alps. It is a tufted, perennial grass and belongs to the Elymus caninus-complex, but it is clearly different from Elymus caninus (L.) L. (bearded couch, bearded wheatgrass): The awns are reduced or missing. The dense spikes are erect and the leaves rather stiff. The spikelets are composed of scabrid (not hairy) rhachilla- segments, and the apex of the palea ends in two short awns (bifid palea). E. helveticus is growing in a calcareous scree (1950–2050 m alt.) and flowers in August and September.