Melica torreyana

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms decumbent; 30–100 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 1–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear, or lanceolate; 8–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed, or ascending.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 4–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 3–5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; hyaline; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 4–6 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; much thinner above; with hyaline margins; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 3.5–5.5 mm long; chartaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets barren; in a clump; ovate; 1–1.5 mm long.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA.

NOTES Meliceae. Mon US Gr 1994.

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