Key to Melica

View taxon page for Melica

(For a list of species in Melica, use the above link.)

Jepson Manual glossary definitions can be seen by moving your cursor over words underlined with dots.

1. Glumes deciduous; 

spikelets 

1. In Poaceae, one or more florets (each a flower with subtending lemma and generally palea) and generally 2 subtending glumes; in a sterile spikelet, the flower(s) and sometimes palea(s) are rudimentary or absent. 2. In Cyperaceae, the smallest aggregation of flowers (generally more than 2) and associated bracts.

falling as 1 unit, 1–2 per inflorescence branch (sect. Melica) ..... M. stricta

1' Glumes persistent; 

spikelet 

1. In Poaceae, one or more florets (each a flower with subtending lemma and generally palea) and generally 2 subtending glumes; in a sterile spikelet, the flower(s) and sometimes palea(s) are rudimentary or absent. 2. In Cyperaceae, the smallest aggregation of flowers (generally more than 2) and associated bracts.

 axis breaking above glumes, spikelets > 2 per lower inflorescence branch (sect. Bromelica)

2. Lemma strongly 

acuminate 

Having a long-tapered, sharp tip, the sides concave.

or awned, glabrous or, if hairy, hairs longer on lower 2/3 of margins, marginal veins or basally

3. Awn 5–12 mm; 

lemma 

In Poaceae, the lower, generally larger of two sheathing bracts subtending a flower, generally ensheathing the palea (in a sterile lemma, the associated flower and sometimes palea are rudimentary or absent); with the palea and flower, comprising the floret.

surface glabrous, margin near base often hairy ..... M. aristata

3' Awn 0–4 mm; lemma surface hairy near base

4. Lemma 

obtuse 

Having a short-tapered, blunt tip or base, the sides convex or straight and converging at more than a right angle.

to ± mucronate at tip, 

ciliate 

Having generally straight, conspicuous hairs along margins or edges.

, with longer hairs on margins, 

awn 

1. Bristle-like appendage or elongation, generally terminal. 2. Stiff, needle-like pappus element in Asteraceae.

1–4 mm; corms 0 ..... M. harfordii

4' Lemma strongly acuminate, hairy with longer hairs toward base, awn 0; corms present ..... M. subulata

2' Lemma rounded to 

acute 

Having a short-tapered, sharp tip, the sides convex or straight and converging at less than a right angle.

, awn 0 (occasionally to 2 mm), glabrous to scabrous, longer hairs (if any) along 

entire 

Having margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).

margin or near tip

5. Bisexual 

florets 

In Poaceae, a single flower and its immediately subtending bracts (lemma and generally palea, the lemma subtending the palea when the latter is present); in a sterile floret, the flower and sometimes palea are rudimentary or absent.

1–2 in all spikelets

6. Sterile cluster at axis tip widest at middle or below; axis < sterile cluster; lemma generally glabrous or minutely scabrous ..... M. imperfecta

6' Sterile cluster at axis tip 

truncate 

Abruptly (not gradually) narrower or smaller at base or tip, as if cut straight across or nearly so.

or widest above middle; axis > sterile cluster; lemma margin generally hairy ..... M. torreyana

5' Bisexual florets 3–7 in some or all spikelets

7. Floret stalks swollen when fresh, ± wrinkled and brown when dry ..... M. fugax

7' Floret stalks not swollen when fresh or wrinkled when dry

8. Palea 1/2–3/4 lemma; leaves 3–5 per stem, blades 3–9 cm ..... M. frutescens

8' Palea ± 7/8 lemma; leaves 2–3 per stem, blades generally >> 9 cm

9. Sterile cluster at axis tip widest above middle, tip truncate (acute), not resembling floret ..... M. californica

9' Sterile cluster at axis tip widest below middle, tip acute to acuminate, resembling floret

10. Both glumes ± 1/2 lowest floret; corms connected to 

rhizome 

1. In seed plants, stem that is often elongate, more or less horizontal, usually underground; distinguished from roots by bearing of leaves, leaf scars, axillary buds, etc. 2. In ferns, stem that is located underground, embedded in leaf litter, on rocks or in rock crevices, or on trees or tree branches, often scaly or hairy; distinguished from roots by bearing of fronds (roots rarely bear fronds), and their greater diameter.

by short stalk ..... M. spectabilis

10' 1 or both glumes ± 3/4 lowest floret; corms 

sessile 

Without a petiole, peduncle, pedicel, or other kind of stalk.

on rhizome (or rhizome 0)

11. Sheath of 

basal 

At or near the base of a plant or plant part. Especially said of leaves clustered near the ground or of a placenta confined to the base of an ovary.

 

leaf 

Organ arising from a stem, generally composed of a stalk (petiole) and a flat, expanded, green, photosynthetic area (blade); distinguished from a leaflet by the presence in its axil of a bud, branch, thorn, or flower; sometimes with lateral, basal appendages (stipules); either simple (toothed, lobed, or dissected but not divided into leaflets) or compound (divided into leaflets).

remaining intact; inflorescence branches 

appressed 

Parallel or nearly parallel to and often in contact with surface of origin; used to describe the disposition of hairs, leaves, pedicels, etc.

to 

ascending 

Curving or angling upward from base, or about 30-60 degrees less than vertical or away from axis of attachment.

..... M. bulbosa

11' Sheath of basal leaf becoming 

fibrous 

1. Pertaining to structures that are composed at least in part of more or less thread-like but usually tough elements (e.g., Yucca leaves). 2. Pertaining to a root system composed of many roots similar in length and thickness (e.g., grass roots).

; inflorescence branches 

spreading 

Oriented more or less perpendicularly to the axis of attachment; often, more or less horizontal.

to 

reflexed 

Abruptly bent or curved downward or backward.

..... M. geyeri

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