Melica racemosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Pooideae
Genus: Melica
Species:
M. racemosa
Binomial name
Melica racemosa
Thunb. (1794)
Synonyms[1]
  • Melica bolusii Stapf (1900)
  • Melica brevifolia Stapf (1910)
  • Melica caffrorum Schrad. (1821)
  • Melica caffrorum var. elatior Nees (1841)
  • Melica decumbens var. racemosa (Thunb.) Kuntze (1898)
  • Melica ovalis Nees (1841)
  • Melica pumila Stapf (1900)

Melica racemosa is a species of grass that is native to South Africa and Lesotho.[1][2]

Description

It is perennial and caespitose with culms that are 30–60 centimetres (12–24 in) long. The leaf sheaths are tubular and have closed at one end. The leaf blades are erect, flat and 4–30 centimetres (1.6–11.8 in) long by 1.5–5 millimetres (0.059–0.197 in) wide with smooth surfaces. The membraneis eciliate. It has an open, linear, and secund panicle which is 7–20 centimetres (2.8–7.9 in) long. The main panicle branches are indistinct and almost racemose.[2]

The spikelets are cuneate, solitary, and have fertile spikelets that are pediceled. It has an acute apex with a chartaceous fertile lemma with hairs that are 2 mm (0.079 in) long. The spikelets carry 2–3 sterile florets which are cuneate, clumped, and 2 millimetres (0.079 in) long. Both the upper and lower glumes are elliptic, keelless, membranous, and have an acute apex. The lower glume 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.[2]

The 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.[2]

Ecology

Melica racemosa grows on hills and mountain slopes. The flowers bloom from September to April.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Melica racemosa Thunb. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 W.D. Clayton; M. Vorontsova; K.T. Harman; H. Williamson (November 16, 2012). "Melica racemosa". The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew: GrassBase. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  3. ↑ Gibbs-Russell, G.E.; L. Watson; M. Koekemoer; L. Smook; N.P. Barkwrt; H.M. Anderson; M.J. Dallwitz (1991). "Grasses of Southern Africa". Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa. South Africa: National Botanical Gardens, Botanical Research Institute (58).
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