Melica altissima

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 50–100 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4–5 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 6–12 mm wide; flaccid. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough abaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle scaberulous above.

Panicle open; linear; interrupted (below); 10–17 cm long; 1–2 cm wide. Primary panicle branches ascending. Panicle branches flexuous; scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 8–10 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic, or ovate; 7–10 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; purple; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic, or ovate; 7–10 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; purple; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 7–10 mm long; chartaceous; much thinner on margins; without keel; 7–9 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets 2–3 in number; barren; in a clump; cuneate; 2.5–3 mm long.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; united; oblong; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; 3 mm long. Hilum linear; 0.33 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: central, southeastern, and eastern. Asia-temperate: Siberia, Soviet Middle Asia, Caucasus, western Asia, and China.

NOTES Meliceae. Fl Turk 1993.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.