Melica penicillaris explained

Melica penicillaris is a species of grass in the Poaceae family.[1] It is endemic to Inner Anatolia, Turkey, where it grows on bushy hills, rocky slopes, limestone surfaces, and in gullies at 1000- above sea level.[2]

Description

The species is perennial and caespitose with short rhizomes and 50– long erect culms. The leaf-sheaths are smooth, tubular and are closed on one end. The leaf-blades are flat and are 10– long by 3– wide. They also have a rough and scabrous surface. The eciliated margin have a ligule which is 2.5– long. The panicle is linear, open, secund, and is 8– long by 1.5- wide. The main branches of the panicle carry 30–90 fertile spikelets which are oblong, solitary, 9– long and are pediceled. Besides the pedicels, the spikelets have 2-4 fertile florets which are diminished at the apex. The species' also have 2–3 sterile florets which are long, barren, cuneate, and clumped.[3]

Both the upper and lower glumes are keelless, membranous, oblong and have obtuse apexes. The size is different though; Lower glume is 6- long, while the upper one is 8- long. Its lemma have pilose surface, obtuse apex and either white or yellow coloured hairs. The fertile lemma is chartaceous, elliptic, keelless, and is 8- long. The species' palea have ciliolated keels and is 2-veined. Flowers are fleshy, oblong and truncate. They also grow together, have 2 lodicules and 3 anthers. The fruits have caryopsis with additional pericarp and linear hilum.[3]

Ecology

Melica penicillaris blooms from May to June.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Melica penicillaris Boiss. & Balansa. . n.d.. Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. September 19, 2020.
  2. Book: Davis, P.H.. R.R. Mill. K. Tan. amp. 1985. Flora of Turkey and the east Aegean Islands. 9. Edinburgh University Press.
  3. Web site: Melica penicillaris . 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 29, 2013.