Helictotrichon, or alpine oatgrass,[2] is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the grass family.

[3][4][5][6] The genus name comes from the Greek heliktos meaning twisted, and trichos meaning hair, referring to the shape of the awn.

Helictotrichon sempervirens is widely cultivated as an ornamental.

[8][9][10] Many species once considered part of Helictotrichon are now regarded as better suited to other genera.

A large number are now in Helictochloa with smaller numbers of species in Amphibromus Arrhenatherum Avenula Danthoniastrum Duthiea Tricholemma and Trisetum.