Melica grandiflora

Melica grandiflora is a species of grass that can be found in Japan, Korea and China.[1]

Melica grandiflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Pooideae
Genus: Melica
Species:
M. grandiflora
Binomial name
Melica grandiflora
Synonyms[1]
  • Melica komarovii

Description

The species is perennial and caespitose with culms that are 15–70 centimetres (5.9–27.6 in) long. The leaf-sheaths are tubular and are closed on one end while the leaf-blades are 4–20 centimetres (1.6–7.9 in) long and 2–6 millimetres (0.079–0.236 in) wide. The membrane is eciliated, 0.3–0.7 millimetres (0.012–0.028 in) long, and is pubescent on the surface. The panicle is open, linear, is 3–15 centimetres (1.2–5.9 in) long and carry 4–6 fertile spikelets. The main panicle branches are indistinct and almost racemose.[2]

Spikelets are oblong, pendulous and solitary. They are also 6–8 millimetres (0.24–0.31 in) long and have fertile spikelets that are pediceled. The pedicels are filiform, curved, and puberulous. The spikelets have 1-2 fertile flores which are diminished at the apex while the sterile florets are only 2-3 in number and are barren, lanceolate, clumped and are 2 millimetres (0.079 in) long. Both the upper and lower glumes are keelless, membranous, and oblong. They are also 4–6 millimetres (0.16–0.24 in) long and have obtuse apexes. Its palea have thick keels and obtuse apex. Flowers are fleshy, oblong and truncate. They also grow together and have 3 anthers that are 1.5–1.8 millimetres (0.059–0.071 in) long. The fruits are caryopsis with additional pericarp and linear hilum.[2]

Ecology

Melica grandiflora can be found growing on mountain slopes on the elevation of 500–3,200 metres (1,600–10,500 ft), in forests and shrubs and on roadsides that are weedy or grassy. Its flowering time is April to July.[3]

References
  1. "Melica grandiflora". Flora of China. Tokyo: Botanical Magazine. 39 (17): 217–220. 1925.
  2. W.D. Clayton; M. Vorontsova; K.T. Harman; H. Williamson (November 16, 2012). "Melica grandiflora". The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew: GrassBase. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  3. Shu, C.C. (2006). "Melica". 22. Flora of China: 316–223. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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