Melica schafkatii

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 30–100 cm long; 5–6 -noded. Culm-internodes smooth. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed. Ligule an eciliate membrane; truncate. Leaf-blades 10–18 cm long; 3–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle scaberulous above.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 8–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending, or spreading; 0.5–1 cm long.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 10–15 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; with lower wider than upper; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong, or ovate; 6.5–9 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; scarious; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong, or ovate; 6.5–9 mm long; 0.66–0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; scarious; much thinner above; with hyaline margins; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 7.5–11 mm long; chartaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keel; 7–9 -veined. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets barren; in a clump; ovate; 2 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas acute.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; united; oblong; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 3; 2.5–3.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Meliceae. Zlaki 1997.

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