Melica yajiangensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Rhizomes absent. Culms 55–75 cm long; 1–2 mm diam.; 4–5 -noded. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; subequal to internodes; glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–27 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; grooved adaxially; scaberulous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading; 2 -nate; branching divaricately; 6–12 cm long. Panicle branches capillary; bearing distant spikelets.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 10–20 mm long; pubescent; hairy above.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 5–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; scarious; grey; without keels. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–8 mm long; 1.5–1.6 length of adjacent fertile lemma; scarious; grey; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate, or oblong; 4–5 mm long; herbaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scabrous; ciliolate; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.8–2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Meliceae. Fl China 2005.

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