Melica onoei explained

Melica onoei is a species of grass found in China, Japan, Korea,[1] Pakistan[2] [3] and Taiwan.[4]

Description

The species is perennial and have elongated rhizomes. It culms are 75– long. The species leaf-sheaths are tubular and smooth with one of their length being closed. It eciliate membrane is 0.5– long and is truncate. They also have flat leaf-blades which are 20– long by 3.5– wide and have scaberulous and hispid surface. Both the leaf-sheaths and leaf-blades have glabrous surface.[5]

The panicle itself is open and is 30– long with the main branches being distant from each other and are 7– long. The spikelets themselves are solitary and oblong and are made out of 2 fertile florets that are 6.5– long. Fertile spikelets are pediceled and have rhachilla stems that are long. Florets are diminished at the apex.[5]

Its lemma have scaberulous surface and emarginated apex with fertile lemma being chartaceous elliptic, keelless, and 4.5– long. Both the lower and upper glumes are elliptic, keelless, membranous, and have acute apexes. Their size is different; Lower glume is 2.5– long while the upper one is 4– long. Palea is 2-veined. Flowers are fleshy, oblong, truncate, have 2 lodicules, and grow together.[5] They have 3 anthers which are 0.8–[1] long with fruits that are caryopsis and have an additional pericarp with linear hilum.[5]

Ecology

It is found on hillsides, gullies, and roadsides on elevation of 400-. It blooms from May to October.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Melica onoei. Japan. 2. 603. 1879.
  2. Bor. Grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan. 592. 1960.
  3. Bor. Flora of Iran. 70. 252. 1970.
  4. Hsu. 1978. Melica onoei. Jap. Neighb. Reg.. Flora of China. Taiwan. 5. 453.
  5. Web site: Melica onoei. W.D. Clayton . M. Vorontsova . Maria Vorontsova (botanist). K.T. Harman . H. Williamson . GrassBase. The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew. November 12, 2012. June 20, 2013.