Melica racemosa

Melica racemosa is a species of grass in the Poaceae family that is endemic to South Africa.^[1]

Description

The species is perennial and caespitose with culms that are 30–60 centimetres (12–24 in) long. The leaf-sheaths are tubular and have one closed end. The leaf-blades are erect, flat and are 4–30 centimetres (1.6–11.8 in) long by 1.5–5 millimetres (0.059–0.197 in) wide with its surface being smooth. The membrane is eciliated with the panicle being open, linear, secund and is 7–20 centimetres (2.8–7.9 in) long. The main panicle branches are indistinct and almost racemose.^[1]

Spikelets are cuneate, solitary, and have fertile spikelets that are pediceled. Its lemma have hairs that are 2 millimetres (0.079 in) long. It is also have an acute apex with chartaceous fertile lemma. The species also carry 2–3 sterile florets which are barren, cuneate, clumped and are 2 millimetres (0.079 in) long. Both the upper and lower glumes are elliptic, keelless, membranous, and have an acute apex. Their size is different though; lower one is 4–8 millimetres (0.16–0.31 in) long while the upper one is 5–9 millimetres (0.20–0.35 in) long. Just like the lower glume, the fertile lemma is elliptic, keelless, and is 4–8 mm long. The sterile one though is glabrous.^[1]

Flowers are fleshy, oblong, truncate, have 2 lodicules and grow together. They have 3 anthers with fruits that are caryopsis. The fruit is also have additional pericarp with a linear hilum.^[1]

Ecology

Melica racemosa grows on hills and mountain slopes. The flowers bloom from September to April.^[2]

References