Melica mutica

Melica mutica, the twoflower melicgrass, is a grass species in the family Poaceae that can be found in southeastern United States.[1]

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

Description

The species is perennial and caespitose with elongated rhizomes. Its culms are 45–100 centimetres (18–39 in) long. Leaf-sheaths are tubular and scaberulous while its eciliate membrane is 0.5–1 millimetre (0.020–0.039 in) long. The species also have conduplicated or flat leaf-blades which are 2–6 millimetres (0.079–0.236 in) wide and have scaberulous or smooth bottom which is also either glabrous or puberulous. The panicle is open, lanceolate, and 4–16 centimetres (1.6–6.3 in) long. The main panicle branches are widespread and almost racemose.[2]

Its spikelets are cuneated, pendulous, solitary and are 7–11 millimetres (0.28–0.43 in) long. Fertile spikelets have filiformed pedicels. They also have 2 fertile florets which are diminished at the apex. Lemma have ribbed literal veins with rugulose and scaberulous bottom. Palea is ciliolate and have scaberulous keels. Rhachilla is extended while sterile florets are barren, cuneate and are clumped. They are 2 millimetres (0.079 in) long and have truncated sterile lemmas as well.[2]

The species glumes are low and wide. Both the lower and upper glumes are keelless, oblong and are 6–9 millimetres (0.24–0.35 in) long. Flowers are fleshy, oblong, truncate, and grow together, the 3 anthers of which are 3 millimetres (0.12 in) in length. Fruits are caryopses, have an additional pericarp, and are 2–3 millimetres (0.079–0.118 in) long.[2]

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References
  1. "Melica mutica Walter Twoflower melicgrass". USDA. PLANTS Profile. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  2. W.D. Clayton; M. Vorontsova; K.T. Harman; H. Williamson (November 16, 2012). "Melica mutica". The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew: GrassBase. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
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