Effect of different altitudes on the morphological traits of Phleum pratense

The effects different altitudes on the morphological characteristics of the wild species Phleum pratense on the Shaertao Mountain, Zhaosu, Xinjiang, were investigated by measuring the morphological indexes from 1 700 m to 2 200 m. The results showed that: 1) There were significant differences in the morphological characteristics of stem diameter, length of boot, breadth of boot leaf, ear length, small spike width, and spikelet number at different elevations (P < 0.05). Other morphological characteristics did not show regular changes; at 1 900 m above sea level, plants had the longest leaves and the highest number of spikelets. 2) The altitude also has a significant effect on the leaf stomata (P < 0.05), with elevation the upper epidermis cuticular stomatal length grew significantly, and the number of stomata decreased. 3) It was preliminarily indicated that the altitude gradient had a certain influence on the plant morphological characteristics of wild grass, and was the most suitable environment for the growth of the ladder grass at the altitude of 1 900 m.