This is an extremely variable species, variants differing in the number of culm nodes, degree and position of roughness on the leaves, panicle shape and density, and spikelet color and length. This variation is often partitioned among several ill-defined subspecies. Melica ciliata subsp. taurica has been reported from Xinjiang (as M. taurica). This variant is distinguished by scabrid leaf sheaths, scabrid abaxial surface of leaf blades, and a rather dense, almost cylindrical panicle of many pale green, 4–6 mm spikelets.