全 文 ：第 25卷　第1 期　　　　　　　　　　　　　植　　　物　　　研　　　究 2005 年　1 月
Vol.25　No.1　　　　　　　　　　　　BULLETIN OF BOTANICAL RESEARCH Jan., 　2005
基金项目:国家自然科学基金和中国科学院项目(9487003)
作者简介:吴玉虎(1951—),男 ,研究员 ,主要从事植物系统分类和植物区系地理研究工作。
收稿日期:2004-08-03
喀喇昆仑山和昆仑山地区禾本科植物区系
吴玉虎
(中国科学院西北高原生物研究所 ,西宁　810001)
摘　要　喀喇昆仑山和昆仑山地区的禾本科植物除去栽培种类外共有 47属 ,含 161种。分析表
明:(1)本区的禾本科植物主要是由北温带成分组成 ,并兼有丰富的旧世界温带成分和其他温带成
分 ,温带性质明显。(2)本区所分布的泛热带成分无一例外地都能够延伸到温带地区 ,应属一类具
有一定程度温带性质的泛热带分布类型 。一些种类如蔗茅(Erianthus ravennae)的出现是从地中海
地区经中亚分布到本区的 。(3)本区的禾本科植物绝大多数属于温寒地带分布类型 ,因而具有明
显的高原 、高山植物区系的特征 ,主要有固沙草属(Orinus)、看麦娘属(Alopecurus)、披碱草属(Ely-
mus)、三毛草属(Trisetum)、扇穗茅属(Littledalea)、偃麦草属(Elytrigia)、冠毛草属(Stephanachne)和
拟沿沟草属(Paracolpodium)等 ,这是本区的高山特化和寒旱化适应现象在禾本科植物中的突出表
现。(4)本区无特有属 ,特有种亦较少 ,这种现象是有其自然和历史原因的。大多数的单种属和寡
种属都是从它们各自广布的近缘属中衍生而来 ,表明本区系是一个年轻的 、衍生的区系。例如细
柄茅属(Ptilagrostis)之从针茅属(Stipa),钝基草属(Timoria)之从芨芨草属(Achnatherum)等。(5)本
区系同周围区系的联系广泛 ,但同西藏区系的关系最为密切 。
关键词　喀喇昆仑山和昆仑山;禾本科;区系特征
The floristic of the family Gramineae of Karakorum and Kunlun area , China
WU Yu-Hu
(Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology , the Chinese Academy of Sciences , Xining　810001)
Abstract　There are 47 genera and 161 species of Gramineae except the cultivated species in the area of the
Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains.The results of research on the distribution of the genera and species of
Gramineae in the Karakorum and KunlunMountains show that(1)The Gramineae mainly contains elements of
North Temperate , rich Old Word Temperate and other Temperate.It is obvious that the floristic nature of
Gramineae in the Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains is the North Temperate;(2)All Pantropic genera can
stretch to the Temperate Zone in this region , which all parts of the Pantropic type are the Temperate nature to
a certain degree.For example , Erianthus ravennae from mediterranean to the Karakorum and KunlunMoun-
tains through the Central Asia;(3)Asmost genera of Grasses are the type of Temperate and the Frigid Zone ,
they have distinct floristic characteristics of mountainous and plateau flora such as Orinus , Alopecurus , Ely-
mus , Trisetum , Littledalea , Elytrigia , Stephanachne and Paracolpodium etc.All of these indicate adaptive
phenomenon of alpine specialization and cold-xerophilization on Grasses in this area;(4)Endemic genus of
Gramineae is absent due to its nature and history and the endemic species are also rare in the Karakorum and
Kunlun Mountains.Most of the genera with one or fewer species have originated from its relative and
widespread genera , such as Ptilagrostis from Stipa , Timouria from Achnatherum , and so on;(5)Flora of
the Karakorum and KunlunMountains is most closely related to the flora of Tibet , and is also extensively to
its adjacent areas.
Key words　Karakorum and Kunlun Mt.;family Gramineae;floristic characteristics
1　Natural Environments
The Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains are situated
between latitudes 33°～ 40°N and longitudes 73°～ 102°
E.It belongs to the alpine and highland region , extend-
ing to the most northwestern part and northern fringe of
the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.The west , from the East
Pamir Plateau and the Kungai Mountain where is located
north of the east Pamir Plateau and is bounded by Tajik-
istan , Afghanistan , Pakistan , Kashmir , India and then
east through Xinjiang , Xizang to the Southern Plateau of
Qinghai , the distance is about 2 500 km.The north
looks down at the Tarim Basin and the Qaidam Basin.
The Yellow River rises on the East Kunlun Mountain.
The administrative divisions of expeditional region con-
sist of Wuqia , Kashi (Kaxgar), Akto , Taxkorgan ,
Shache (Yarkant), Yecheng (Kargilik), Pishan (Gu-
ma), Moyu (Karakax), Hotan , Qira , Yutian
(Keriya), Minfeng (Niya), Qiemo (Qarqan)and Ruo-
qiang(Qarkilik)in Xinjiang , Ritu(Rutog)in Xizang ,
and Zhiduo (Zhidoi), Qumalai (Qumarleb), Maduo
(Madoi)in Qinghai Province.
The extremely high Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have both
thermic and dynamic influences on the atmospheric cir-
culations and climate over and around this area.In win-
ter , the climate of the entire plateau is controlled by the
westerly , with fine days and little snow.In the Karako-
rum and Kunlun Mts.region , the climate is of both
alpine and continental type:frigid , arid , well trans-
parency of air , intense radiation and conspicuous day-
night temperature range , scanty precipitation , intense e-
vaporation , strong wind of long duration , and so on.
In mountainous areas from 2 000 to 4 000 m asl ,
the mean temperature of the warmest month is 10 ～
20℃;while on the Qiangtang Plateau at an elevation of 4
800 ～ 5 000 m , the mean temperature of the warmest
month is only 3 ～ 6℃.The mean temperature of the
coldest month is -20℃, the highest and lowest temper-
atures are 20℃ and -35℃ respectively.Even in July ,
the lowest daily temperature often falls -10℃, and the
average range of daily temperature goes up to 15 ～
20℃, especially high on the open plateau surface.
The Karakorum-Kunlun Mountains region is ex-
tremely arid climatically with low precipitation.The an-
nual precipitation is less than 50 ～ 100 mm on the pied-
mont plains of KunlunMountains , 100 ～ 400 mm at the
elevations of 2 000 ～ 4 000 m asl., also less than
100 mm in the East Pamir Plateau and its eastern wide
valleys , andmore than 200 mm at the elevation of 4 000
～ 5 000 m asl.In the Karakorum Mountains , there is
great difference in precipitation between high mountains
and valleys.For example , the annual precipitation is
only 34 mm at Gilgit(1 488 m asl.), where is situated
at a deep valley of the southern flank of the Karakorum
Mountains , and is 37 mm at Kangxiwar(3 986 m asl.)
in the Karakax River valley of the northern flank.Ac-
cording to calculation of water balance , the annual pre-
cipitation above the snow line may be as high as 800 ～
2 400 mm in this area.On the Qiangtang Plateau there
is very low precipitation , only 20 ～ 40 mm.The pied-
mont areas of high mountains have an annual precipita-
tion of about 50 ～ 100 mm.In the southern parts of the
Karakorum-KunlunMountains region , e.g., Meimar Co
and Domar , the annual precipitation slightly increases
up to 100 ～ 150 mm or so[ 1] .InMadoi area , situated at
the Southern Plateau of Qinghai in East Kunlun Moun-
tains , the mean annual temperature is -4℃, the mean
temperature of the warmest July is 7.2℃, and the mean
temperature of the coldest January is -17.3℃, the dif-
ference of daily temperatures is from 22.9℃ to
-48.1℃.The mean annual period of freezing rivers
and lakes is 160 days.The longest period of freeze is
190 days.The mean annual precipitation is 299.6 mm.
The mean annual evaporation is 1 304.6 mm , and the
highest wind speed is 34 m/ s[ 2] .
1071期　　　　　　　　　　　　　吴玉虎:喀喇昆仑山和昆仑山地区禾本科植物区系
Table 1　Distribution of genera of Gramineae in Karakorum-KunlunMountains
Genera
Number of
species in
this area
Number of
species in
China
Number of
species in
genus
Genera
Number of
species in
this area
Number of
species in
China
Number of
species in
genus
Cosmopolitan 31 155 930+ 　25.Avena 1 7 25
　1.Phragmites 1 2 10 　26.Hierochloe 1 4 20
　2.Poa 20 100 400 　27.Alopecurus 2 9 50
　3.Agrostis 5 29 220 　28.Deyeuxia 6 43 100
　4.Digitaria 5 24 300 　29.Calamagrostis 4 6 15
Pant ropic 14 62 551+ 　30.Backmannia 1 1 2
　5.Polypogon 3 3 6 　31.St ipa 9 23 200
　6.Chloris 1 4 50 　32.Eragrostis 2 29 300
　7.Cynodon 1 2 10 　33.Echinochloa 1 9 30
　8.Aristida 3 11 150 Old World Temperate 19 92 192+
　9.Setaria 2 15 130 　34.Roegneria 13 70 120
　10.Pennisetum 1 11 140 　35.Elytrigia 3 6 40
　11.Erianthus 1 8 30 　36.Achenatherum 1 14 20
　12.Bothriochlora 2 8 35 　37.Crypasis 2 2 12
North Temperate 84 316 1 519+ Temperate Asia 1 5 5
　13.Catabrosa 2 3 10 　38.Pti lagrostis 1 5 5
　14.Festuca 14 30 100 Mediterranean , Western A-
sia and Central Asia
5 11 37
　15.Puccinellia 12 40 100 　39.Paracolpodium 1 2 4
　16.Bromus 3 40 150 　40.Eremopyrum 1 4 8
　17.Agropyron 2 5 15 　41.Schismus 1 1 5
　18.Elymus 3 12 40 　42.Aeluropus 2 4 20
　19.Leymus 7 11 32 Central Asia 7 11 15
　20.Hordeum 5 15 30 　43.Eremopoa 1 1 4
　21.Koeleria 2 3 50 　44.Li ttledalea 3 3 4
　22.Trisetum 3 10 70 　45.Timouria 1 1 1
　23.Deschampsia 3 6 60 　46.Stephanachne 1 3 3
　24.Helictotrichon 1 10 80 　47.Orinus 1 3 3
The vegetation in the Karakorum-Kunlun Mountains
region includes alpine desert with the constructive
species Ceratoides compacta , mountain deserts with the
constructive species Reaumuria kaschgarica and Sym-
pegma regelii etc., alpine desert-steppe with the con-
structive species Artemisia parvula etc., alpine steppe
with the constructive species Carex moocroftii , Stipa
purpurea , S .glareosa , S .breviflora and Festuca sul-
cata etc., alpine shrub with the constructive species
Salix oritrepha , and Potentilla fruticosa etc., alpine
swamp meadow with the constructive species Kobresia ti-
betica , the alpine meadow with constructive species Ko-
bresia spp.and the alpine gravel slopes with sparse veg-
etation
[ 2] .The mountain coniferous forests appear only
at elevations of 2 800 ～ 3 400 m asl.In west of Kunlun
Mountains , Picea schrenkiana , of 10 ～ 12 m high[ 1] ap-
pears on the shady mountain slopes , and Sabina vulgaris
var.jarkendensis on the sunny slopes.
The soil in this area mainly includes alpine desert
soil , mountain desert soil , cryogenic soil , alpine steppe
soil , alpine meadow soil , bog soil and winds-sand soil
etc.
2　Distributive Types of Genera
The family Gramineae is one of the largest cos-
mopolitan families.There are more than 660 genera and
10 000 species in the world , and 225 genera and more
than 1 200 species in China[ 3] .As one of the largest
108 　　　　　　植　　物　　研　　究　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　25 卷
families on flora in Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains ,
Gramineae contains 47 genera and 161 species except
the cultivated species.
By Professer Wu Zhengyi[ 4 , 5] , the Chinese genera
of seed plants were divided into 15 areal-types.Accord-
ing to Wu s division , the genera of Grasses in Karako-
rum and Kunlun Mountains can be divided into 7 dis-
tributive types.The distributive type of genera is primar-
ily the North Temperate elements consisting of 21 genera
(48.8%of the total genera that except the Cosmopolitan
elements , the same below)and 84 species(64.6% of
the total species).The second is the Pantropical ele-
ments including 8 genera (18.6% of the total)and 14
species(10.8%of the total).The old world Temperate
elements consist of 4 genera (9.3% of the total), and
19 species(14.6% of the total).The Central Asia ele-
ments consist of 5 genera(11.6% of the total), and 7
species(5.4% of the total).The Mediterranean and
Western Asia to Central Asia elements consist of only 4
genera (9.3% of the total) and only 15 species
(11.5% of the total).The Temperate Asia elements
have only 1 genus(2.3% of the total)and 1 species
(0.77%of the total).(See Table 1.)
The family Gramineae is a large family of cos-
mopolitan distribution , but only 4 cosmopolitan genera
distribute in this area.Among them , Poa , Agrostis and
Digitaria are large genera and widespread.In this areal-
type , the small genus is Phragmites , the constructive
plant of marshland , water vegetation and some fixed
dunes that appears in the oasis in basin desert.
The temperate elements contain 35 genera and have
a percentage of 83.7% of total genera.It is quite evi-
dent that the properties of Grasses in this area are mainly
the Temperate Zone.Among them , the North Temperate
elements occupy an important place.As the geographical
situation and natural environment of this area , it should
have this distribution pattern.
However , the Pantropic elements consist of 8 gen-
era and occupy the second place in quantity.The genera
of this areal-type mainly distribute in the tropics of both
hemispheres , but some species also extend to the warm
Temperate and the Temperate regions , which the-
sespecies are distributed in Karakorum and Kunlun
Mountains.All of these genera are small- and middle-
genera that include 8 genera(18.6% of the total gener-
a)that only consist of 14 species.On the one hand , the
occurrence of Pantropic genera results fromtheir ecologi-
cal conditions and causes of history and geography ,which
this raea have the historical origins of Mediterranean .
On the other hand , the distribution of Pantropic genera
demonstrates that these genera have nature of Temperate
to a certain extent.In other words , besides their history
and geography , these genera of Pantropic type distribut-
ed in this area are themselves have the Temperate prop-
erties.
So far as this significance , we can even consider
that all of the Grasses in this area have the properties of
the Temperate except the Cosmopolitan regions.Among
them , the Erianthus and Aristida are the typical kind
that are distributed in the Tropics arid area.Erianthus
including 30 species total.Among them , 28 species are
distributed in Tropical America , southeastern to eastern
Asia , Indo-Malaysia and Polynesia etc., 1 species in
the Sahara , and 1 species in Madagascar.In this area ,
only Erianthus ravennae from Mediterranean is distribut-
ed in this area through the Central Asia.The arid and
hot climate of the basin desert in this area is adaptive for
this species.All of these show clearly that the flora of
this area had relationship withMediterranean and Central
Asia on history and geography.
Among the Temperate types in this area , the North
Temperate elements include the most genera and
species.Most of them are distributed in Temperate and
Frigid Zone , and plateau , high mountains and the pole.
The genera of many species distributed in this area are
Festuca (14 species), Puccinellia (12 species)and
Stipa (9 species)etc.that are the constructive or domi-
nant species on alpine steppe and forest fringe.Stipa
purpurea is the characteristic species of alpine steppe.
The North Temperate in this area has 2 varieties.5
genera have discontinuous distribution of the North Tem-
perate and the South Temperate including Puccinellia ,
Bromus , Koeleria , Trisetum and Helictotrichon.The 2
genera Leymus and Alopecurus belong to discontinuous
1091期　　　　　　　　　　　　　吴玉虎:喀喇昆仑山和昆仑山地区禾本科植物区系
distribution of the Eurasia and the South America Tem-
perate.Leymus including 32 species is mainly distribut-
ed in the Temperate and Frigid Zone in the Northern
Hemisphere.Most species of Leymus grow in Central A-
sia and Europe , and 11 species aredistributed in the
north of China.As 7 species are distributed in this
area , it is obvious that this region is one of the areas
that have the most species of Leymus in China.
There are 4 genera and 19 species in the OldWorld
Temperate Zone similarly.Most of them are also dis-
tributed in the Temperate and Frigid Zone.In this type ,
the genus Roegneria not only is the typical element but
also include the most species.The plants of this genus
have a quite well distribution in Eurasia including 120
species.Becausethe Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains
are situated in the Central region of Asian , this area
should be a region where the plants of Roegneria may be
suitable to expand.The extremely adverse environments
such as the elevation etc.make lot of species difficult to
distribute and expand , only the species having the char-
acteristics of cold-resistant and drought-enduring can
grow and develop in this area.Another typical element
of this type is the genus Achenatherum consisting of only
1 species.A.splendens is distributed below the sun
slopes , valley , drought flood land along 2 000 ～ 4 400
m asl., which this species composes the single commu-
nity of steppe.
The Temperate Asia only includes the genus Ptila-
grostis in this area.This genus is mainly distributes in
Northern Asia to Himalayas.There are 5 species in Chi-
na , only 1 species of Ptilagrostis is distribute in alpine
shrubs , alpine meadows , shady slopes and flood grass-
lands of this area.The genus Ptilagrostis is originated
from Stipa .The genus Stipa is mainly distributed in
steppe and alpine steppe.However , the genus Ptila-
grostis has developed in alpine region of the Temperate
and Frigid Zone , and its habitat of alpine shrubs , alpine
meadow and flood grassland etc.are more damp than
those of Stipa , which this character clearly shows the
evolutional track and direction of the genus Ptilagrostis.
If Stipa has developed in steppe of Eurasia and alpine
steppe with the characteristics of typical xerophyte and
cold resistance xerophyte , Ptilagrostis are evidently with
the characteristics of damp and cold resistance.
The elements of the Mediterranean , West Asia to
Central Asia type in Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains ,
are also found in Eurasia including three monotypic gen-
era and one small genera with 5 species.Among them ,
the genus Paracolpodium has 4 species that are dis-
tributed in Caucasus Mountains , Siberia and the middle
part of Asia.Evidently , the genus Paracolpodium origi-
nated from the genus Catabrosa with North Temperate on
meadow or under the forest by the environments of alpine
and cold-arid area.The genus Catabrosa has 2 species
in China , and they are distributed in Xizang (Tibet)
and Xinjiang.There is 1 subspecies P .alataicum sub-
sp.leucolipis in the Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains
area., which it is the first time to find in Qiemo (Qar-
qan), southern Xinjiang , China.This subspecies is not
distributed in east of Qiemo.
The elements of the Central Asia type include 5
genera and 7 species.It s clearly that they are the re-
sults of differentiation and development from the ele-
ments of North Temperate and the Tethys Sea in the
Central Asia mountainous region.This type is a young
element in high mountains and plateaus in Asia inland.
Among them , the genus Littledalea has well developed
in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau including 4 speciesthat
are 1 species in the Central Asia , and 3 species in Chi-
na.All of them not only distribute in the Qinghai-Ti-
betan Plateau , but also especially centralize in Tanggute
area and its adjacent zone , and spread Xizang , Gansu ,
Sichuan province of China and adjacent counties such as
Nepal etc.The Littledalea racemosa becomes the anoth-
er characteristic species and constructive species of
alpine steppe over 4 200 m asl.In view of the above-
mentioned facts , it is to be considered that the genus
Littledalea is the endemic type of alpine steppe in the
Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.Among other 4 genera , Timo-
uria is the monotypic genus with young element which
derived from the genus Achenatherum belonging to the
Old World Temperate type.In this area , the genus
Timouria is distributed in mountainous region of western
Tarim Basin.Among other 3 genera , only 1 species is
110 　　　　　　植　　物　　研　　究　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　25 卷
distributed in this area in every genera.The genus Ori-
nus have 2 geographical substitute species that are dis-
tributed in Qinghai and mountainous region of Sichuan
province , China.In this area , Orinus thoroldii occurs
in the more arid place and grows in gravelly mountainous
slopes and fixed dune from Rutog to Shiquanhe (Gar)
where are situated at southeast fringe of Karakorum
Mountain.It is to be considered that this genus maybe
belongs to the genus of uninterrupted evolution in the
environments of mesic and middle xeric from east along
the frigid and arid basin to west.
There is no endemic genus in this area due to na-
ture and history and the conditions of intense frigidness
and aridity.Moreover , among all 47 genera of family
Gramineae , the 36 genera with less than 3 species occu-
py absolutely dominant position , which these genera has
76.6% percent of total genera in this area , and some
genera have a few or a single species.Although some
other genera have lots of species , only several species
are distributed in this area.Apparently these distribu-
tions are undoubtedly restricted by historical and ecologi-
cal conditions.and the unique natures of flora ecology of
the family Gramineae is also reflect.Due to these unique
natures , some wide distribution genera that have wide e-
cological amplitude and include more specie are difficult
to distribute in this area.Additionally , the monotypic
genera and some narrow distribution genera are originat-
ed from their related wide distribution genera.These
facts show that the flora of the Karakorum and Kunlun
Mountains is a young and derivative flora.
3　Eco-Geographical Distribution of Species
In the Karakorum and the west part of Kunlun
Mountains are divided by the Sangzhu River in Pishan of
Xinjiang(about west of 78°50′E).Due to the mountain
ranges rising and falling intensely in the western part of
this area , the mountains are lofty and precipitous , and
have a relative height of 4 000 ～ 5 000 m than the val-
ley .The warm and humid microclimate forms between
the mountains and valleys.Because of this local envi-
ronment , some patches of coniferous forest are distribut-
ed in this area that is mainly deserts.The ecological
conditions of the forest are suitable for lots of plants to
grow.There are 112 species in the western part of this
area.Among them , 52 species(46%of the total)dis-
appear in eastern Kunlun Mountians.Most of species
belong to the Central Asian species , especially alpine
species , such as:Festuca alatavica , F .kryloviana ,
Trisetum altaicum , Ptilagrostis mongholia , Timouria
saposhinikowii Eragrostis collina , Erianthus ravennae ,
and so on.The Central Asia elements have a consider-
able proportion except wide distribution taxa among
Gramineae in the western part of this area.
In the eastern part of this area from east of the
Sangzhu River to the source of the Yellow River in Qing-
hai Province , the species of the east are less than that of
west , although eastern part of this area is larger than
that of western.There only occur 110 species.These
distributions are caused by the vast and open plateau
surface that is more easily affected by strong wind , and
the habitat of the east is harsher than that of the west.
Among the 110 species , 50 species that are about 45%
percent of the total species in eastern area , are not dis-
tributed in western Kunlun Mountains.Most of these
species belong to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau elements ,
such as:Puccinellia multiflora , Littledalea przewalskyi ,
L .tibetica , L .racemosa , Trisetum tibeticum , Orinus
thoroldii , Elymus nutans , Deyeuxia tibetica var.prze-
valskyi , and so on.The majority of these species are
distributed over the alpine zone , and more than 50%are
distributed over 4 000 m asl.These distributions clearly
show that the plants of Gramineae in eastern part of the
Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains mainly include ele-
ments of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau except wide distri-
bution taxa in all areas.Besides , the pantropical ele-
ments chiefly consist of xeropilous type of desert plants
in lower altitudes.
4　Analysis of Endemic Species
There are 25 Chinese endemic species of Gramineae
in the Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains.Among them ,
6 species , 1 subspecies and 2 varieties are endemic to
this area , such as Leymus pishanica;Leymus rouqian-
gensis;Poa arjinshanensis;Poa festucoides;Poa festu-
1111期　　　　　　　　　　　　　吴玉虎:喀喇昆仑山和昆仑山地区禾本科植物区系
coides subsp.kunlunensis;Poa scabristemmed;Poa
poophagorum var.hunczilapensis;Puccinellia multiflo-
ra .They all are discovered in recent years in this area.
Most of them are the result of differentiation from the
large- and middle-genera that are distributed in the
North Temperature region or the cosmopolitan in this
area.Among them , some species are the Old World
Temperate elements.On the one hand , the occurrence
of these endemic plants shows that a unique natural geo-
graphical region that has gradually formed by the uplift of
the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau since the Late Cenozoic era.
Although the flora of the Karakorum and Kunlun Moun-
tains is young and derivative , the differentiation of some
species in Gramineae has taken place by the ecological
environment.For this reason , some new taxa are origi-
nated.This also shows that this area has relationships
with adjacent areas on history and geography , such as
Leymus pishanica and Leymus rouqiangensis have the
close relationships to Leymus aemulans and Leymus
ramosum of Europe , the Central Asia and Siberia.This
charater of simple spikelet on each node of rhachilla is
first time discovered in the genus Leymus in China.
Moreover , among 25 Chinese endemic species , there are
3 species only occur in west of the Sangzhu River.There
are 12 species occur the eastern part of this area , where
10 species are also distributed in the Qinghai-Tibetan
Plateau and is 40%percent of the endemic species.It
is obvious that there are the close relationships between
the flora of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and this area.
The occurrence of endemic species in this area shows
clearly that Grasses has the activity on specialization.
Table 2　The comparison of common genera and species of
Gramineae from the Karakorum-Kunlun Mts.and
its adjoining area
Adjoining area
Common
genera
Simi lar
coeff icient
of genera
Common
species
Simi lar
coefficient
of species
Xizang (Tibet)[ 10] 40 93.0 80 49.7
North India[ 9] 31 72.1 42 26.1
Tian Shan Mt.[ 8] 37 86.0 70 43.5
Tajikistan[ 7] 34 79.1 47 29.2
Himalayas[ 6] 22 51.2 17 10.6
5　Comparing With Flora of Adjacent Area
Because the Karakorum-KunlunMountains are con-
nected with the Tian Shan Range , the Pamir Plateau ,
the Hindu Kush Mountains , the Himalayas Range and
the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in geographical position ,
the reflection on the flora elements has the some connec-
tions with adjacent areas.This phenomenon is reflected
by the common genera and species between the florae of
this area and adjacent places.(See Table 2).
In this area , there are 22 common genera and 17
common species with the Himalayas[ 6] and they have the
separate coefficient of similarity 51.2 in genera and 10.
6 in species , and they chiefly are the genera of the
North Temperate type , such as Festuca , Elymus ,
Deyeuxia , and so on.Some genera and species are only
distribute in this area but not in the Himalayas , and
mainly occur in lower elevation region and xeric types of
the Central Asia , the Old World Temperate and the
Mediterranean , the West Asia to the Central Asia types
such as Timouria , Stephanachne.There are 34 common
genera and 47 common species with Tajikistan
[ 7]
and
they have the separate coefficient of similarity 79.1 in
genera and 29.2 in species.The genera and species are
not distributed in Tajikistan , and mainly distributed in
lower elevation and xerothermic region of the Central A-
sia and the Pantropic type such as Chloris and Bothri-
ochloa .This area has 37 common genera and 70 common
species with the Tian Shan Mountain[ 8] and they have
the separate coefficient of similarity 86.0 in genera and
43.5 in species.All genera of the North Temperate and
the Old World Temperate types are common with this
area.The genera are not distributed in the Tian Shan
Mountain , and consist of Littledalea and Orinus of the
Central Asia type , and Erianthus , Pennisetum of the
Pantropic type , and Paracolpodium that is distributed in
Caucasus , the Central Asia , the middle part of Asia and
Siberia etc.This area has 31 common genera and 42
common species with northern India[ 9] and they have a
coefficient of similarity 72.1 in genera and 26.1 in
species.The genera are not distributed in northern Indi-
a , and consist of Littledalea , Timouria and
Stephanachne , and so on.This distribution shows that
112 　　　　　　植　　物　　研　　究　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　25 卷
the climate of the Karakorum-Kunlun Mountains is more
frigid and arid than that of northern India because of the
separation of the Himalayas.
On the botanical geography , this area is closer to
the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau by the comparison of com-
mon genera and species from both areas.This area has
40 common genera and 80 common species[ 10] , and has
the separate coefficient of similarity 93.0 in genera and
49.7 in species with Xizang (Tibet).It is quite evi-
dence that the coefficient of similarity reaches the peak
in above areas that participate in comparison.In view of
above compared result , and the similar and connection
on botanical geography climate , the grasses in the
Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains have an extensive re-
lationships with its adjacent floras , but are the most
closely related to the flora of the Qinghai-Tibetan
Plateau.
6　Floristic Characteristics and Areal Area
Analysis of the distribution of the genera and
species of Gramineae in the Karakorum and Kunlun
Mountains Indicates:(1)The Gramineae chiefly con-
tains the North Temperate elements and is also rich in
the Old World Temperate elements and other Temperate
elements as well.It is clear that the floristic nature of
Gramineae in the Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains be-
longs to the North Temperate;(2)all Pantropic genera
can stretch to the Temperate Zone.They are all part of
the Pantropic type with the Temperate nature to a certain
degree.For example , Erianthus ravennae from Mediter-
ranean area through the Central Asia to the Karakorum
and KunlunMountains area;(3)the majority of Grasses
belong to the type that are distributed in the Temperate
and the Frigid Zone , and have distinctive feature of
highland and alpine flora such as Orinus , Alopecurus ,
Elymus , Trisetum , Littledalea , Elytrigia ,
Stephanachne and Paracolpodium , which it is obvious
characteristics of adaptation to alpine specialization and
cold-xeromorphilization on Grasses in this area.(4)En-
demic genus of Gramineae is not distributed the Karako-
rum and Kunlun Mountains and the endemic species are
also a few.This phenomenon has its natural and histori-
cal reasons.Most of the genera with single or fewer
species have originated from its close relative genera that
are widely dispersed such as Ptilagrostis from Stipa ,
Timouria from Achnatherum , and so on;(5)The flora
of the Karakorum and Kunlun Mountains is closely relat-
ed to the flora of Tibet , and extensively to its surround-
ing areas.
About the flora region , Professer Wu Zhengyi
(1983) divided this area into the Qinghai-Tibetan
Plateau subregion , the Pamir-Kunlun-Tibetan Area (the
Qiangtang Subarea and the Pamir-Kunlun Subarea).
However , Grobov (1963)divided this area into the
Asian Central Subregion , the Tibetan Province (the Ti-
betan Subprovince and the Pamir Subprovince).By our
the expedition , the statistics , analysis and study on the
flora elements of Grasses , we think that this flora is
closely related with the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Subre-
gion according to the flora of Grasses.In the view of the
geographical location , although this area situated at the
north border district of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau , it
obviously belongs to the part of the Qinghai-Tibetan
Plateau from the east to west and from the south to north
as a whole.In addition , it is the same on elevation of
mountainous region and the climatope such as cold ,
arid , strong wind , and so on between the two places.
Moreover , the typical vegetation such as alpine desert ,
alpine steppes and alpine meadows etc.of the Qinghai-
Tibetan Plateau also occupy main position in this area.
Especially , the coefficient of similarity of genus peaks
between the flora of this area and Xizang that is a repre-
sentative of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Subregion , and
it sufficiently shows the close relationship between the
two floras.Most of the Chinese endemic species in this
area belong to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.As stated
above , the results of analysis support our views that are
identical with that of Professer Wu Zhengyi(1983)who
divided this area to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Subre-
gion.On the Pamir-Kunlun-Tibetan Area we think this
area may be divided into two parts by the Sang Zhu Riv-
er near 78°50′E , the western belongs to the Pamir-West
Kunlun Subarea , the eastern belongs to the Qiangtang ,
Middle-East Kunlun Subarea.It is properly that this di-
1131期　　　　　　　　　　　　　吴玉虎:喀喇昆仑山和昆仑山地区禾本科植物区系
vision can display more naturally dividing line of the ge-
ographical range of flora.The analysis of the family
Gramineae , Cruciferae , whole flora and vegetation type
clearly show that the Sang Zhu River is a dividing line of
subarea of flora.
致谢　本文经陈世龙博士审阅 ,修改 , 特此谢忱。
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