Melica hitchcockii explained

Melica hitchcockii is a species of grass that can be found in Waterton Lakes Park of Alberta, Canada where it grows in a forest about 0.5 miles east of Cameron Lake at the elevation of .[1]

Description

The species is perennial and caespitose with culms that are 20– long. The leaves are cauline with leaf-blades being 12– long and 5– wide. The membrane is ciliated and is long, with the panicle being contracted, linear and 7– long. The main panicle branches are indistinct, almost racemose and carry a few spikelets.[2]

Spikelets are lanceolate, solitary, are long, and have fertile spikelets that are pediceled. The main lemma have an awn that is subapical and is long. It is also have a dentate apex with lanceolated fertile lemma that is 2– wide and is of the same length as the awn. The species also carry 3–4 sterile florets which are barren, lanceolate, clumped and are long. Both the upper and lower glumes are keelless, lanceolate, and are membranous with the acute apex only present with the upper glume. Their size is different though; lower one is long while the upper one is . Its rachilla internodes are covered with soft hairs. Flowers have 3 anthers that are 2- long.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Melica hitchcockii. June 25, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110807155258/http://herbarium.usu.edu/Meliceae/Melica/Melica_hitchcockii.htm. August 7, 2011.
  2. Web site: Melica hitchcockii. W.D. Clayton . M. Vorontsova . Maria Vorontsova (botanist). K.T. Harman . H. Williamson . GrassBase. The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew. November 16, 2012. June 25, 2013.