Melica imperfecta

Species category

Agricultural

Common name

smallflower melicgrass

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

FloretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.

Shape

Narrowly ellipticElliptic:
Outline of an ellipse; greatest width midway sloping to an equally pointed apex and base.

Size

  • Length 3–5 mm
  • Width 0.8–1 mm
  • Thickness 0.8–1.2 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

Smooth

Lemma

Five longitudinal lines; hump above callusCallus:
The hard base of grass florets or spikelets, just above the point of disarticulation.
.

Palea

Fine margin hairs

Other structures

Small rachillaRachilla:
The axis of a spikelet.

Identification notes

No awnAwn:
A narrow, bristle-like organ, as on the glumes or lemmas of grasses (Poaceae).
. Often a sterile floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
attached to the rachillaRachilla:
The axis of a spikelet.
.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Melica imperfecta Trin.

Synonyms

Melica colpodioides Nees
Melica imperfecta var. flexuosa Bol.
Melica imperfecta var. imperfecta Trin.
Melica imperfecta var. minor Scribn.
Melica imperfecta var. refracta Thurb.
Melica imperfecta var. pubens Scribn.
Melica panicoides Nutt.
Melica parishii Vasey ex Beal
Melica poaeoides Nutt.

 Melica imperfecta.  Florets often have a sterile floret attached to the rachilla. 
Melica imperfecta. Florets often have a sterile floret attached to the rachilla. 
 Melica imperfecta.  Brown awnless florets. 
Melica imperfecta. Brown awnless florets.