Melica teneriffae

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending; 80–100 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 2–4 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface scabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 60–120 fertile spikelets. Peduncle 5–10 cm long; glabrous.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 15–20 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches spreading; 2–4 -nate; whorled at most nodes; 3–8 cm long. Panicle axis 3–4 noded.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 7–10 mm long; falling entire, or breaking up at maturity.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 4–5 mm long; 0.75–1 length of upper glume; membranous; pallid and purple; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 5–6 mm long; 0.9–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; pallid and purple; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute, or acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 6 mm long; chartaceous; pallid; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma margins ciliate; hairy below. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets 2–3 in number; barren; in a clump; oblong; 2 mm long.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: Macaronesia.

NOTES Meliceae. Hackel 1997.

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