Melica tibetica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 25–40 cm long. Culm-internodes scaberulous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; antrorsely scabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades 8–13 cm long; 5 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 6–12 cm long; 1.5 cm wide. Panicle axis scabrous. Panicle branches smooth.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 7–8 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes 2 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes similar; with lower wider than upper; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; scarious; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume obovate; 6–7 mm long; 1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; scarious; much thinner above; with hyaline margins; without keels; 3 -veined.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 5 mm long; chartaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets 1–2 in number; barren; in a clump; orbicular; 1 mm long.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear; 0.75 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Meliceae. Papp 1994.

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