Kingdom Plantae Family Poaceae Rank Species | Order Poales Genus Melica | |
Similar Melica transsilvanica, Melica altissima, Melica ciliata, Melica nutans | ||
Melica tibetica, is a grass species in the Poaceae family that is endemic to China and can be found in such provinces as Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Xizang.
Contents
Description
The species is perennial and caespitose with culms being 25–40 centimetres (9.8–15.7 in) long and it internodes being scaberulous. The species leaf-sheaths are tubular and scabrous with one of their length being closed. It eciliate membrane is 1 millimetre (0.039 in) long while it leaf-blades are 8–13 centimetres (3.1–5.1 in) long and 5 millimetres (0.20 in) wide. The leaf-blade apex is acuminate. The panicle itself is open and linear, and is 6–12 centimetres (2.4–4.7 in) long by 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) wide. It axis are scabrous with smooth branches.
The spikelets themselves are ovate and are 7–8 millimetres (0.28–0.31 in) long while rhachilla internodes is 2 millimetres (0.079 in) long. Fertile spikelets are pediceled, the pedicels of which are filiform and puberulous. Florets are diminished at the apex.
Its fertile lemma is elliptic, scarious and is 5 millimetres (0.20 in) long while lemma itself is keelless with dentate apex. Glumes are very different. Although both are keelless, the lower glume is oblong and 5 millimetres (0.20 in) long while the upper one is obovate and is 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28 in) long. Palea have ciliolated keels and is 2-veined. Flowers have 3 anthers which are 1 millimetre (0.039 in) long. The species' fruits are caryopses, 0.75 millimetres (0.030 in) in length, and have an additional pericarp with linear hilum.
Ecology
It is found in alpine meadows on elevation of 3,500–4,300 metres (11,500–14,100 ft). It blooms from July to September.