Melica frutescens

HABIT Perennial. Culms 75–200 cm long; woody. Lateral branches sparse. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; retrorsely scabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 12–35 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 7–12 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; chartaceous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 9–15 mm long; 1.1–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; with hyaline margins; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 8–11 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 0.5 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets barren; in a clump; oblong; 4.5–6.5 mm long.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA and Mexico.

NOTES Meliceae. Gr Baja Cal 1994.

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