Melica stuckertii explained

Melica stuckertii, is a grass species in the family Poaceae that is endemic to Argentina[1] and southern South America.[2]

Description

The species is perennial and have short rhizomes. It culms are erected and are 50– long. It eciliate membrane is 0.5– long and is also lacerated. The leaf-blades are tubular, flat and are 1.5– long by 1.5– wide with its surface and margins being scabrous. The panicle itself is open, pyramidal, and is 5– long. Both panicle axis and branches are scaberulous with solitary spikelets. The spikelets themselves are obovate and are 7– long. They carry 1 fertile floret with it callus being glabrous. Fertile spikelets are pediceled, the pedicels of which are curved, ciliate, hairy, and filiform. Florets are diminished at the apex.[2]

Its lemma have ciliated margins that have a hairy middle. It fertile lemma is chartaceous, lanceolate, and is 5– long by 2- wide. It sterile lemma though is truncate. The glumes are all keelless but are different in size and texture. Lower glume is obovate and is 7– long and 7-11 veined, while the upper one is lanceolate and is 5– long and 5-7 veined. Lower glume also have an acute apex while the upper one have an obtuse one. The upper glumes have asperulous surface as well. Palea have asperulous surface and acute apex and is 3.5- long and 2-veined. It also have ciliolate keels with fleshy, oblong, and truncate flowers that have 2 lodicules, and grow together. They also long and have 3 anthers which are 1.5- long which have dark brown coloured fruits that are caryopsis, ellipsoid, and have an additional pericarp with linear hilum. They fruit length is 2.8-.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Torres, A.M.. 1980. Revision de las especies Argentinas del genero Melica L. (Gramineae). Opera Lilloana . 29. 1–113.
  2. Web site: Melica serrana. 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 10, 2013.