Melica smirnovii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 25–70 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; antrorsely scabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–3.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 8–16 cm long; 2–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially; pilose; sparsely hairy; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; equilateral.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 4.5–4.7 mm long; 0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Upper glume elliptic; 5.4–5.7 mm long; 0.9–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 4.8–6.5 mm long; chartaceous; dull; without keel. Lemma surface papillose. Palea apex papillose. Apical sterile florets 2–3 in number; barren; in a clump; cuneate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5–1.8 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: northern and eastern.

NOTES Meliceae. Tsvelev 2012.

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