Glyceria melicaria

HABIT Perennial. Culms 60–100 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; nodding; 15–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; distant; simple.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; 1.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 2 mm long; 0.8–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2–2.5 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; cuneate; 0.5 mm long.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION North America: eastern Canada, northeast USA, and southeast USA.

NOTES Meliceae. WDC.

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