<i>Dactyloctenium ruderale</i> (Poaceae), a new species from Jammu and Kashmir, India

A new species of Dactyloctenium (Poaceae) from Jammu and Kashmir is described and illustrated. Of the four Dactyloctenium species found in India, the new D. ruderale shares a close relationship with the two previously identified D. aristatum Link and D. aegyptium Willd. from northwest India. The diagnostic characteristics are 50–80 cm tall herb; internodes 1.0–11.0 cm long; inflorescence always a solitary spike; rachis tip 2.0–4.5 mm long; lemma 1‐nerved; and caryopsis 0.8–1.2 mm long, surface striations longitudinal, prominently decorated by white shining glands. A thorough description, illustration, photo plate, and key to related species are provided to aid in their identification and differentiation.