Kobresia

Kobresia

 

a genus of plants of the family Cyperaceae. They are perennial caespitose grasses with linear or setiform blades. The inflorescence is spicate or, less frequently, paniculate. The spikelets have between two and seven flowers and are monoecious; the bracts are either open or, more rarely, partially subtended. The flowers are unisexual and do not have a perianth. There are three stamens and usually three stigmata. Approximately 40 species are distributed in the temperate and cold regions of the northern hemisphere, primarily in Asia. Kobresia is typically found on high mountains, where it frequently forms meadows. The ten to 12 species found in the USSR are distributed in Middle Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Siberia, the Altai, the Urals, and the arctic regions. Some species are valuable for grazing. The most important species used for fodder are Kobresia capilliformis, which covers broad areas in the Tien-Shan and the Pamirs, K. bellardii, and K. filifolia.

REFERENCE

Kormovye rasteniia senokosov i pastbishch SSSR, vol. 1. Edited by I. V. Larin. Moscow-Leningrad, 1950.

T. V. EGOROVA