Melica montezumae

Melica montezumae, Montezuma melicgrass, is a grass species in the family Poaceae that can be found in Texas[1] and Mexico.[2]

Melica montezumae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Pooideae
Genus: Melica
Species:
M. montezumae
Binomial name
Melica montezumae

Description

The plant is perennial and is caespitose as well. The culms are 50–100 centimetres (20–39 in) long while the leaf-sheaths scaberulous and tubular. Eciliate membrane is 5–10 millimetres (0.20–0.39 in) long. Leaf-blades are either flat or involute and are 2–3 millimetres (0.079–0.118 in) wide. Their panicle is open and is 8–16 centimetres (3.1–6.3 in) in length. The main panicle branches are ascended or spreadout, while spikelets are pendulous and solitary. Fertile spikelets have filiformed pedicels, are cuneate and are 7–8 millimetres (0.28–0.31 in) long. They have 1 fertile floret which is diminished. Fertile lemma is chartaceous and elliptic and is 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28 in) long. Palea is 2 veined and have scaberulous keels as well. Sterile florets are barren, cuneated, and grow in a clump. Both upper and lower glumes are oblong, scarious and keelless, but the lower one is 7–8 millimetres (0.28–0.31 in) in length while the upper one is 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28 in) long. Flowers are fleshy, oblong, truncate, and are growing side by side with 3 anthers. Fruits are caryopsis and have additional pericarp.[3]

Ecoology

Melica montezumae grows in shady places in the mountains.[2]

Further reading
  • Mary E. Barkworth, Kathleen M. Capels and Sandy Long (1993). Flora of North America: North of Mexico. Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part Poaceae). 24. Oxford: Flora of North America. p. 98.
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References
  1. "Melica montezumae Piper Montezuma melicgrass". USDA. PLANTS Profile. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  2. Mary E. Barkworth. "Melica montezumae". Utah State University. Intermountain Herbarium. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  3. W.D. Clayton; M. Vorontsova; K.T. Harman; H. Williamson (November 16, 2012). "Melica montezumae". The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew: GrassBase. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
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