Melica riograndensis

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 16–30 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2.5–3.2 mm long. Leaf-blades 12–57 cm long; 1.3–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 5–8 cm long. Primary panicle branches indistinct the panicle almost racemose.

Spikelets spreading, or deflexed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed, or dorsally compressed; 7.2–9.8 mm long; 2–3.8 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; with lower wider than upper; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume obovate; clasping; 5.8–6.3 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keels; 7 -veined. Lower glume apex erose; obtuse. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–9 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; much thinner above; with hyaline margins; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume apex erose; obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 7–7.2 mm long; 2–4 mm wide; chartaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma surface papillose; rough on veins. Lemma apex acute. Palea 5.5 mm long; 2 -veined. Palea surface papillose. Palea apex dentate; 2 -fid. Apical sterile florets 2–3 in number; barren; in a clump; cuneate; 2–3 mm long.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; united; oblong; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 3; 0.7–1.2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Meliceae. Lon-Wag 1996.

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