Melica paulsenii is a species of grass endemic to Chile where it grows along the coastal cordillera at 50- above sea level.[1]
The species is perennial and caespitose with 200– long culms. The leaf-sheaths are tubular and are closed on one end with its surface being glabrous. The leaf-blades are 10– long and 1.5– wide. The surface is scabrous and have glabrous margins. The eciliated margin have a ligule and is also erose and truncate with the size being 0.5– long. The panicle is contracted, oblong and is 7– long by 2- wide. The main branches of the panicle are appressed and are scabrous with the same goes for panicle axis.[2]
Spikelets are lanceolate, solitary, 7- long and are pediceled. The pedicels are curved, filiform, pubescent, scabrous, and hairy above. Besides the pedicels, the spikelets have 2 fertile florets which are diminished at the apex. The sterile florets are also present and are 1- long, barren, elliptic, and clumped. Its rhachilla have an elongated plant stem which goes between the glumes and is 0.3–. Both the upper and lower glumes are keelless, membranous, have asperulous surfaces and acute apexes. The other features are different though; Lower glume is elliptic and is 6- long, while the upper one is lanceolate and is 7- long.[2]
Its lemma have scaberulous surface with the fertile lemma being chartaceous, keelless, lanceolate and 6- long by 1.6–. Lemma have ciliated margins, dentated apex, and hairs which are 1– long. Palea itself is 3.5– long, have ciliolated keels and is 2-veined. Flowers are long, fleshy, oblong and truncate. They also grow together, have 2 lodicules and 3 anthers which are 1.2- long. The fruits have caryopsis with additional pericarp and have linear hilum. They are also 2– long and are dark brown in colour.[2]
Melica paulsenii blooms from September to December in provinces from Coquimbo to Santiago.[1]