Melica virgata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 45–75 cm long; 0.75–1 mm diam. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades 12–21 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 12–25 cm long. Panicle axis smooth.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 3.5–4.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; with lower wider than upper; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 2.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; scarious; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 3 mm long; 0.85 length of adjacent fertile lemma; scarious; much thinner above; with hyaline margins; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3.5 mm long; chartaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets barren; in a clump; cuneate; 1 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas truncate.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Siberia, China, and Mongolia.

NOTES Meliceae. Papp 1994.

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