Rytidosperma nivicola

Tufted or rhizomatous perennial, commonly ascending through Sphagnum moss or other alpine bog vegetation. Culms to 30 cm high, rarely more. Leaves virtually glabrous; blade rather rigid, tightly inrolled, to 10 cm long and c. 0.5 mm diam. Panicle narrowly ovate or linear, often appearing racemose, 2–3 cm long. Spikelets usually strongly purplish, mostly 4–5-flowered; glumes subequal, acute, 5–7 mm long; lemma ovate in outline, 1.5–2.5 mm long, with hairs reduced to marginal and callus tufts, or rarely very sparsely scattered on the back; lateral lobes erect, 1–2 mm long, shortly awned at apex, ciliate along margins; central awn exceeding lateral lobes by 1–1.5 mm; palea obovate, exceeding sinus by c. 1 mm and approaching tips of lateral lobes. Flowers Jan.–Mar.