MELICA L.MELIC GRASS

MELICA L. - MELIC GRASS

Scientific Description:

Tufted or rhizomatous perennials. Leaves with tubular sheaths; ligule membranous, entire or lacerate, sometimes much reduced or absent. Inflorescence a columnar or spreading panicle, often only twice branched. Spikelets with 2−several florets, only lower 1−2 usually fertile. Rachilla disarticulating above glumes and between florets. Uppermost sterile florets much reduced, forming a fleshy mass. Glumes ± unequal, papery with scarious margins, 3−5-veined. Lemmas rounded on dorsal surface, 5−many-veined, glabrous or hairy. Palea 2-keeled, usually ciliolate. Lodicules 2, laterally fused into an oblong band. Stamens 3. Caryopsis ovoid-ellipsoid, loosely or tightly enclosed by lemma and palea; hilum linear, short, borne near base of groove.

Reference:

Davis PH (1985). Melica L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 9: 527.

Public Description:

Melica is a genus of perennial herbs, known as “melic” or “melic grass” and is found in most temperate regions of the world. There are approximately 92 species in the world and 7 species (8 taxa) in Türkiye. Some species of melic grasses have corms and are sometimes called “oniongrass”. The name “Melica” comes from Latin word “mel” meaning “honey” and “ica” meaning “belong”. Some culture forms are used in garden arrangements due to their attractive spikes. Due to these properties, they are among the most beautiful ornamental grasses.

References:

Anonymous 1 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melica /,Accessed date: 30.03.2016.

Anonymous 2 (2016). http://www.outsidepride.com/seed/ornamental-grass/melica/melica.html / ,Accessed date: 30.03.2016.

Anonymous 3 (2016). http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Poaceae/Melica/ // Accessed date: 30.03.2016.

Cabi E Doğan M (2012). Melica L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 731–732.