Melica imperfecta

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 50–110 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 1–6 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate, or ovate; 10–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed, or ascending, or spreading; bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3.5–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 2.5–6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume elliptic; 2.5–6 mm long; 0.75–0.85 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 3–7 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets barren; in a clump; oblong; 0.5–4 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas obtuse.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA and Mexico.

NOTES Meliceae. Gr Baja Cal 1994.

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