Melica scabra

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 30–80 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2.5–4 mm long; erose. Leaf-blades 5–10 cm long; 2.5–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 5–18 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches ascending, or spreading. Panicle branches secund.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; curved.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 8–12 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; with lower wider than upper; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–18 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–18 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; much thinner above; with hyaline margins; without keels; 3–4 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 6.5–8 mm long; chartaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keel; 6–8 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; rough below. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets barren; in a clump; cuneate.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Meliceae. Gr Peru 1995.

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