Melica longiligulata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Rhizomes elongated. Butt sheaths purple. Culms 30–60 cm long; 0.7–1 mm diam.; wiry; 3–5 -noded. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; longer than adjacent culm internode; puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3.5 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 8–20 cm long; 2–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; grooved adaxially; scaberulous; rough on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 10–18 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending; 2–4 -nate; 6 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; pubescent; hairy above.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 5–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong, or ovate; 3–3.7 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; scarious; purple; without keels. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 4–5.5 mm long; 0.9–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; scarious; purple; without keels. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 4.3–5 mm long; herbaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; light green; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned above. Rhachilla extension 2 mm long. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Meliceae. Fl China 2005.

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