TYPE. Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 39(1): 103-104. 2004. Type: Ecuador. Imbabura: Mun. Cayambe, Volcano Cayambe, 78 ° 55.6´W, 00 ° 31.6'N. Swamps below of the refuge with Loricaria sp., Festuca glumosa, Distichia muscoides etc., 4450 m, 20-X-2000, STANČÍK 4162 (holotype: PRC; isotypes: AAU, QCA).

DESCRIPTION. Small tussock grass, 10-50 cm tall; innovations intravaginal or mixed; culms erect, glabrous, with 1(-2) nodes in basal half. Sheaths membranous, brown, striate, densely shaggy, margins free; auricles absent; ligule (coriaceo-)membranous, round, 0.3-0.5 mm long, shortly ciliate; leaf blades linear, involute, obtuse, 5-25 cm long, 0.5-0.8 mm in diameter, green, glabrous. Panicle erect, contracted, elongate, 2.5-13(-17) cm long, 0.3-0.5 cm wide; branches (some time scattered) hairy. Spikelet 6-8(9) mm long, with 3-4(-5) perfect florets; rachilla glabrous or with short scattered hairs; glumes coriaceo-membranous, ovate to lanceolate, obtuse, purplish, apex ciliate; lower glume 1.2-1.7(-2) mm long, 1-nerved; upper glume 2-2.5(-2.7) mm long, 3-nerved, apex shortly ciliate; lemmas coriaceo-membranous, lanceolate, (4.5-) 5.5 mm long, 5-nerved, purplish, papillous, apex some time scabrid, awn (0.5-)0.7-1.7 mm long; callus glabrous; palea two-carinate, as long as lemma, glabrous, scabrid on keels, apex hairy, shortly two-dentate; lodicules oblong-lanceolate; stamens 3, anthers 0.8-1.1 mm long; ovary apex glabrous. Caryopsis lanceolate; hilum linear, 3/5 of total.

LEAF SECTION. Leaf section with 5-7 vascular bundles, with 3-5 ribs above; sclerenchyma under abaxial epidermis discontinuous, under adaxial missing (bigger plants with 7-9(-11) vascular bundles and adaxial schlerenchyma, sometime with 2-4 girders); adaxial epidermis hairs 0.03-0.05 mm long, scattered.

DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT. This species is typically small herb known from humid grass páramo and superpáramo vegetation, at an altitude of 3700- 4500 m. Secondary spreads along the trails and roads up to forest zone (at an altitude of 2600-3200 m) forming more might and larger tufts It spread from northern Peru to Ecuador and till Cordillera Central of northern Colombia.

OBSERVATIONS. This species is closed to F. andicola, which differs in formation of solitary rhizomatous herbs (vs. small bunches) and to have foliar sheaths glabrous (vs. sheaths densely hairy).

MATERIAL EXAMINED. COLOMBIA. Caldas. Mun. Manizales, NP Los Nevados, Hda. La Esperanza, 3500-3700 m, 18-IX-1999, STANČÍK3416 (COL, PRC). Mun. Neira, vereda Chupaderos, sector ”Campamentos”, 3650 m, 26-IX-1999, STANČÍK 3455 (COL, PRC).Páramo de Quindio, 3700-4200 m, 20-VIII-1922, Pennell 9951 (US). Cauca. Mun. Popayan, PNN Puracé, Pilimbalá, 76º24.06’W, 02º22.1’N, 3250 m, 6-VII-2000, STANČÍK 3610 (COL, PRC). Macizo Colombiano, Valle de las Papas, alrededores de Valencia, 2910 m, 11-IX-1958, Idrobo et al. 3682 (COL, US). Nariño. Mun. Cumbal, Volcano Nevado de Cumbal, NE slope, 3700 m, 9-III-1999, STANČÍK 2744 (AAU, COL, PSO, PRC). Mun. El Encano, between vereda Catapamba and road Pasto - El Encano, 2800 m, 23-III-1999, STANČÍK 2981 (COL, PSO, PRC). Plain N of Guachucal, 3000 m, 1-III-1986, Wood 5331 (COL, K). Risaralda. Mun. Pereira, NP Los Nevados, below of Nevado del Cisne, way from Casa del Chisne to Laguna de Otún, km 5, 4100 m, 19-IX-1999, STANČÍK 3380 (PRC, W); below Nevado Santa Isabel, cross-roads to Villa María, Hda. Potosí and Casa del Chisne, 4000-4100 m, 20-IX-1999, STANČÍK 3373 (COL, PRC, US). Tolima. N side of Nevado del Ruiz, 3800 m, 19-II-1984, Wood 4247 (COL, FMB, K). Mun. Ibague, Nevado del Tolima, La Cueva, 76º19.5’W, 04º 39’N, 3900 m, 8-VI-2000, STANČÍK 3596 (COL, PRC). ECUADOR. Azuay. PN Cajas, slopes near Laguna Luspa, 3700 m, PETERSON et al. 8858 (QCA, QCNE, US); along Río Miguir, 3480 m, PETERSON et al. 8870 (QCA, QCNE, US); around lake Llaviaucu, 79º10’W, 02º56’S, 3400 m, Oxford expedition 30 (K). El Pan, mountain zone, 2800 m, HARLINGTON 1197 (S); around Lagoon Taglacocha- Tres Cruces, 79°13´W, 02°47´S, 3900-4000 m, 1-IX-2000, STANČÍK 3858 (PRC, QCA). Road Cuenca – Saraguro, km 42, 79º02’W, 03º10’S, 3450 m, LAEGAARD 53580 (AAU, QCA). Road Cuenca – Limon, towards antennas, 79º02’W, 03º10’S, 3350 m, LAEGAARD & DALSGAARD 20824 (LOJA, AAU). Mun. Nabon, Antennas on the road Loja – Cuenca, 79°02´W, 03°12´S, 3300-3450 m, 30-VIII-2000, STANČÍK 3802 (QCA, PRC); STANČÍK 3803 (QCA, PRC). Bolivar. Pass on road Guaranda – Riobamba, 78º50’W, 01º35’S, 4050-4150 m, LAEGAARD 71737 (AAU, QCNE). Highway to Guaranda km 66.5 and to Fecundo km 2.2, 4300 m, PETERSON et al. 8996 (K, MO, QCA, QCNE, US). Simiatung, Hda. Talahua, 3400 m, PENLAND & SUMMERS 583 (F). Cañar. Road Cañar – Chunchi, 78º59’W, 02º24’S, 3200 m, LAEGAARD 53837 (AAU, QCA, QCNE). El Tambo, road El Tambo – Ingapirca, 3400-3500 m, 29-VIII-2000, STANČÍK 3800 (PRC, QCA). Carchi. Km 21.2 NE of El Angel and 27.8 km SW of Tulcán, above Río Bolo, 3320 m, PETERSON et al. 9139 (MO, QCA, US). Km 11.4 NE of El Angel on road to Tulcán, 3240 m, PETERSON et al. 9118 (US). Km 14 along road Las Juntas – El Angel, 3400 m, LAEGAARD 101718 (AAU, QCA, QCNE). Cotopaxi. Road Zumbahua – Pujili, km 39, 78º47‘W, 00º53‘S, 3750-3800 m, LAEGARD 102087 (AAU). Páramo de Laguna Salayampe, E of Latacunga, 00º56‘S, 78º25‘W, 4000-4100 m, LAEGAARD 54148 (AAU). Volcano Cotopaxi, N slope, 78º26‘W, 00º39‘S, 4200 m, SKLENÁŘ & KOSTEČKOVÁ 1905 (AAU). PN Cotopaxi, Laguna Limpiopungo, 78º30‘W, 00º40‘S, 3800 m, FEGAN & FALCONI 9 (QCA); falda NNW, 4180 m, EHRENBURG 60 (QCA); Valley NW of Limpiapungo, 78º28‘W, 00º38‘S, 3900-4000 m, LAEGAARD 101432 (AAU, QCA); N slope on the left side of the road to refuge, 78º26‘W, 00º39‘S, 4200 m, SKLENÁŘ & KOSTEČKOVÁ 85-8 (NY); SKLENÁŘ & KOSTEČKOVÁ 87-6 (NY); SKLENÁŘ & KOSTEČKOVÁ 86-9 (NY); Quebrada ca 3 km de carratera, 78º30’W, 00º40’S, 3400 m, BRAVO 56 (QCA); BRAVO 58 (QCA). Railway station Cotopaxi, 3400 m, ASPLUND 6478 (S, US). Cotopaxi, 2500 m, ASPLUND 6400 (S). Road Salcedo – Napo, km 27-39, 4000-4100 m, SPARRE 15708 (S). Mun. Chaupi, NE slope of Volcano Illiniza, 78°42´42´´W, 00°37´59´´S, 4000-4050 m, 12-X-2000, STANČÍK 4031 (PRC, QCA); STANČÍK 4023 (PRC, QCA); STANČÍK 4028 (AAU, PRC, QCA). Mun. Lasso, Volcanoo Cotopaxi, 78°30´55´´W, 00°39´06´´S, 3530 m, 28-IX-2000, STANČÍK 3887 (AAU, PRC, QCA); STANČÍK 3108 (PRC, QCA); STANČÍK 3128 (AAU, PRC, QCA); STANČÍK 3879 (PRC, QCA). Chimborazo. Volcano Chimborazo, E side, 78º46’W, 01º28’S, 4260 m, SKLENÁŘ & SKLENÁŘOVÁ 2262 (AAU); 4300 m, SKLENÁŘ & SKLENÁŘOVÁ 2168 (AAU); Km 42.7 SW of Ambato on Highway to Guaranda, 4020 m, PETESON et al. 8973 (MO, QCA, QCNE, US). Km 10 E of Lago Colta on road to Pallatango, 3725 m, PETERSON et al. 9209 (K, MO, QCA, QCNE, US). Between Urbina and Mt. Chimboraz, 3600-4500 m, Hitchcock 21981 (US); 3750 m, ASPLUND 7892 (K, S); 3900 m, ASPLUND 8447 (P, S); Páramo de Urbina km 25 N of Riobamba, ca 2 km W of Panamericana, 78º42’W, 01º29’S, 3500 m, LAEGAARD et al. 20993 (AAU); . S slope of Mt. Chimborazo, 3800 m, FAGERLIND & WIBOM 934bis (S). Km 9 NE of San Juan de Velasco on road to Lago Colta, 3600 m, PETERSON et al. 9235 (QCA, QCNE, US). Daldal Valley km 10 E of Licto, 78º32’W, 01º48’S, 3700 m, RAMSAY et al. 104A (K); 78º28’W, 00º15’S, 3450 m, RAMSAY & SMITH 245 (K, QCA); RAMSAY & SMITH 247 (K, QCA, QCNE). Along Río Alao, 78º30’W, 01º52’S, 3200-3400 m, LAEGAARD 55301 (AAU). Near pass between Volcano Chimborazo and Carihuairazo, 78º48’W, 01º27’S, 4400 m, LAEGAARD & SANCHÉZ 20027 (AAU). Carihuasco above Mashahuasca, 78º49’W, 01º29’S, 4500 m, LAEGAARD & SKLENÁŘ 20363 (AAU). Road Guamote – Macas km 15, 78º40’W, 02º00’S, 3750 m, LAEGAARD & SKLENÁŘ 20335 (AAU, LOJA). Mun. Riobamba, Volcano Chimborazo, sector Cruce de los Arenales, 78°53´58´´W, 01°27´51´´S, 4150 m, 20-IX-2000, STANČÍK 3713 (PRC, QCA). Km 18.2 ESE of Lago Colta on road to Pallatanga, 3700 m, PETERSON et al. 9228 (K). Imbabura. Hacienda Mojanda on road to Otavalo, 2900-3000 m, SPARRE 13516 (AAU, S); Laguna Grande, 78º16’W, 00º08’N, 3725-3750 m, LAEGAARD 52374A (AAU, QCA). Laguna Cuicocha, 3100 m, ASPLUND 20217 (S). Mun. Urcuquí, road to Cerro Yanaurcu, 78°15´24´´W, 00°26´28´´N, 4100 m, 15-X-2000, STANČÍK 4090B (PRC, QCA); STANČÍK 4093 (PRC, QCA). Mun. Cayambe, Volcano Cayambe, 78°01´21´´W, 00°00´26.5´´N, 4300 m, 20-X-2000, STANČÍK 4158 (PRC, QCA); STANČÍK 4162 (PRC, QCA). Mun. Urcuquí, road to Cerro Yanaurcu, 78°41´45´´W, 00°37´46´´N, 4100 m, 15-X-2000, STANČÍK 4094 (PRC, QCA). Loja. Km 10 along road to Fierra Urcu, 78º18’W, 03º41’S, 3400 m, LAEGAARD et al. 19066 (AAU, LOJA, QCA). Cero de Arcos W of road Manu – Zaruma, 79º28’W, 03º34’S, 3500-3600 m, LAEGAARD & AGUIRRE 20609 (AAU). Páramo de Carboncillo, km 11 S of Oña, 2800 m, LAEGAARD 19739 (AAU, QCA). Mun. Saraguro, road to Fierra Urcu, 79°16´W, 03°41´S, 3000-3100 m, 24-VIII-2000, STANČÍK 3787 (PRC, QCA, US); STANČÍK 3780 (PRC, QCA, US, W). Morona – Santigo. Hda. Huargualla – Hda. San Eduardo, way to PN Sangay, 78°27´W, 02°15´S, 3700 m, 20-VII-1999, STANČÍK 3320 (PRC, QCA). NP Sangay, Plaza Culebrillas, 78°25´W, 01°58´S, 3500-3600 m, 22-VII-1999, STANČÍK 3358 (PRC, QCA). NP Sangay, Plaza Culebrillas, 78°25´W, 01°58´S, 3500-3600 m, 22-VII-1999, STANČÍK 3359 (PRC, QCA). Napo. Valle Vicioso E of Volcano Cotopaxi, 3600 m, HOLM-NIELSEN & BALSLEV 23755 (AAU). El Tambo SE of Volcano Cotopaxi, 78º18’W, 00º42’S, 3650 m, LAEGAARD 55535 (AAU). Pichincha. Road Pifo – Pintag, 2.5 hours horsehide above Inga Moserat, 78º17’W, 00º19’S, 3950 m, LAEGAARD 102268 (AAU); LAEGAARD 102237 (AAU, QCA). Páramo de Guamaní, 3960 m, LEON 1230 (QCA); 4200-4250 m, LAEGAARD 101384 (AAU); 4300 m, LAEGAARD & RENVOIZE 70519 (AAU, K); 4100 m, LAEGAARD 103107 (AAU, QCA). Road Quito – Santo Domingo near San Juan, 78º37’W, 00º17’S, 3450-3500 m, LAEGAARD 52605 (AAU, QCA); LAEGAARD 52607 (AAU, QCA, QCNE). Andinum Quitensium Pichincha, JAMESON 296 (P); 1859, JAMESON s.n. (P, W). From Pichincha, 4 000 ft., VI-1859, JAMESON 14 (W). Quito – Panecillo, 2900 m, ASPLUND 6020 (S, US). Mun. Otavalo, schrubby margin and pajonal on the road from Otavalo to Laguna Mojanda, 78°17´20´´W, 00°09´54´´N, 3450 m, 19-X-2000, STANČÍK 4111 (PRC, QCA). Nevado Cayambe, W side of the Volcano, 78º01’W, 00º01’N, 4200 m, SKLENÁŘ & KOSTEČKOVÁ 66-10 (US); road to Refúgio, 4300 m, LAEGAARD & RENVOIZE 70519 (AAU). Páramo de Trujillo, between peaks of Illinizas and Cotopaxi, 3450 m, BARCLAY & JUAJIBIOY 7961 (MO, US). Tunel de agua Quito – Papallacta, 78º08’W, 00º22’S, AGUIRRE & MERINO 4219 (AAU, LOJA). E slope of Illiniza Sur, 4300 m, SKLENÁŘ & KOSTEČKOVÁ 16-1 (US); 4200 m, SKLENÁŘ & KOSTEČKOVÁ 15-5 (NY); Volcano Illiniza, N slope, 4000-4100 m, SPARRE 15635 (S). Road Lloa – Guagua Pichincha, km 10, 78º35‘W, 00º13‘S, 4170 m, LAEGAARD et al. 102737 (AAU); Rucu Pichincha, 4400 m, ASPLUND 8606 (S); ASPLUND 17313 (S); 4600 m, slope above Lloa, 3200 m, ASPLUND 7558 (S); NE slope, 4300 m, SKLENÁŘ & KOSTEČKOVÁ 1-24 (NY). WNW slope of Antisana, 4600 m, HALLOY B-54 (AAU). Between La Libertad and San Juan, 3200 m, ASPLUND 16259 (S). Canal on W side of Volcano Atacazo, 78º38‘W, 00º20‘S, 3750-3800 m, LAEGAARD 55673 (AAU, QCA). A slope of Rumiñahui, 3900 m, SPARRE 15871 (S). Mun. Pifo, páramo de Guamaní, 78°15´W, 00°19´S, 3700 m, 19-VI-1999, STANČÍK 3004 (AAU, PRC, QCA). Mun. Amaguaña, volcan Pasochoa, 78°29´28´´W, 00°30´23´´S, 3350 m, 14-IX-2000, STANČÍK 3686 (PRC, QCA). Tungurahua. Km 10 S of Mocha, 3600 m, HARLING et al. 10533 (GB). Cotalo, 2900 m, ACOSTA-SOLİS 9884 (US); ACOSTA-SOLİS 9877 (US). Mt. Carihuayrazo, 4400 m, ASPLUND 8470 (S). Mun. Pillaro, Las Llanganatis, around Aucacocha lagoon, 78°20´00.4´´W, 01°8´55´´S, 3800 m, 28-IX-2000, STANČÍK 3903 (PRC, QCA). Zamora-Chinchipe. Road Loja – Zamora, ca 2-6 km E of pass, 79º09’W, 03º59’S, 2600 m, LAEGAARD 18736 (AAU, LOJA, QCA, QCNE). PERU. Cajamarca. 52 km N of Cajamarca on Hwy. 3N towards Bambamarca, small laguna with Ranunculus sp. and open grasslands with Deyeuxia, 3780 m, 16-III-2000, PETERSON 14907 (K, MO, US). Prov. Chota, entre Miracosta y Pampa del Lirio, 3380 m, 11-XII-2000, VEGA et al. 10320 (F, MO). Pampa Larga, al N de la explotación minera Yanacocha, 3900 m, 14-V-1994, VEGA 7143 (F). Jalca de Kumulca, ruta a Celendin, 3650 m, 7-II-1975, VEGA et al. 1638 (F). Cerro Sexcemayo, al W de Cajamarca, jalca graminosa, 3500 m, 4-II-1991, VEGA 5419 (F). Prov. Celendin, Cajamarca - Celendin road, spots, especially near larg rock outcrops, 3000-3450 m, 28-V-1984, SMITH 7314 (MO); 3000-3450 m, 28-V-1984, SMITH et al. 7321A (MO); 3000-3450 m, 28-V-1984, SMITH et al. 7332 (MO); 78°15'33''W, 07°02'31''S, humid jalca vegetation with tussock grasses, 3700 m, 26-VIII-2004, SKLENÁŘ & CRUZ 8706 (PRC).