Melica uniflora Retz. Wood Melick

Melica uniflora Retz. - Wood Melick

Scientific Description:

Rhizomatous perennial. Stems 30−60(−80) cm, 1−2 mm broad below. Leaf sheaths glabrous; blades linear-lanceolate, 3−6 mm broad, flat, sparsely pilose on upper surface, with a lanceolate, ligule-like projection at mouth of sheath opposite blade. Panicle spreading, lax, twice-branched, 4−10 cm, peduncles divergent, glabrous. Spikelets glabrous, erect on 2−35 mm pedicels. Glumes somewhat unequal, obtuse, membranous, purplish-brown with hyaline border, persisting after florets have fallen. Only lower floret fertile; lemmas navicular, obtuse, 4−4.5 mm, 7-veined, eventually rigid. Upper florets sterile, forming a 2−2.5 mm club-shaped mass.

Flowering time: June−August.

Habitat: Woods, Fagus L. and Picea L. forests, c. 200−1500 m.

Reference:

Davis PH (1985). Melica uniflora Retz., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 9: 528.

Public Description:

Melica uniflora, commonly known as “ wood melick” is native to much of Europe, and Southwest Asia and North Africa. It is a perennial herb and grows up to 80 cm in length. It blooms between June and August and is found in woods, beech and spruce forests. 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 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melica_uniflora/,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.