Melica tangutorum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms erect; 30–80 cm long. Culm-internodes antrorsely scabrous. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; antrorsely scabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2.5–6.5 mm long; glabrous on abaxial surface. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 1–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; interrupted; dense; secund; 10–20 cm long. Panicle branches scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels flexuous; 1–7 mm long; ciliate; hairy at tip.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 2.7–4 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 3–4.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong, or ovate; 3–4.5 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner above; without keel; 7–9 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex emarginate. Palea elliptic; 2 -veined. Palea surface scabrous. Apical sterile florets 2–3 in number; barren; in a clump; cuneate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; united; oblong; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 3; 0.7–1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China and Mongolia.

NOTES Meliceae. Pl Cent Asia 1996.

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