56 Graminaceae 
MELICA MELIC-GRASS 
Perennial, tall. Leaves flat. Spikelets 1- to several-flowered; panicles contracted or 
open; rachilla usually bearing 2—3 club-shaped hooded scales beyond the flowers. Glumes 
3__5-veined, membranous. Lemma rounded on back, 7—13-veined, awned or awnless, 
somewhat scarious at margin. Palet wide. Stamens 3. Grain enclosed, free. Us 
mel—honey; at first the name of Sorghum which has a sweet pith.) 
A. Lemma notched at apex, usually awned. 
B. Panicle spreading; stem swollen and bulb-like at base. 
C. Awn none or less than 2 mm. long. 
D. Awn present. U. C. - 
M. bromoides Gray 
DD. Awn wholly wanting. U. 
., M. bromoides howellii Scribn. 
CC Awn 426 mm. long. WG, 
M. smithii Vas. 
BB. Panicle contracted; stem not swollen and bulb-like at base. 
E. Awn 0—3 mm. long; ligule | mm. long. 
F. Plant 4—10 dm. high; spike-like panicle 10—20 cm. long; spikelets 4—8- 
flowered. W. C. E. 
M. harfordii Bol. 
FF. Plant 2—3 dm. high; spike-like panicle 3—-8 cm. long; spikelets about 
3-flowered. U. E. (M. harfordii minor.) 
M. harfordii tenuior Pip. 
EE. Awn 6—10 mm. long; ligule 4 mm. long. E. 
M. aristata Thurb. (Bearded Melic-grass) 
AA. Lemma not notched at apex, awnless. 
G. Apex of lemma long-acuminate. W.C. E. (M. acuminata.) 
M. subulata, Scribn. 
GG. Apex of lemma merely acute or obtuse. 
H. Spikelets 10—16 mm. long; stems not bulb-like at base. 
I. Spikelets |!2—16 mm. long; palet obtuse. E. 
M. stricta Bol. 
II. Spikelets about 10 mm. long; palet 2-toothed.4 UC. E- 
M. interrupta Trin. 
HH. Spikelets 5-10 mm. long; stems swollen and bulb-like at base. 
J. Spikelets shining; plants not tufted. 
K. Lemma acuminate or 2-toothed, often apiculate between the teeth. C. 
E. (MM. scabrata.) 
M. spectabilis Scribn. (Large-flowered Melic-grass) 
KK. Lemma obtuse, not apiculate. E. 
M. bulbosa Gey. (Thick-rooted Bunch-grass) 
JJ. Spikelets dull; plants mostly tufted. 
L. Panicle usually spreading; glumes coriaceous. C. E. (M. fugax mado- 
phylla.) M. fugax Bol. (Small Melic-grass) 
LL. Panicle linear, strict; glumes membranous. 
M. Leaves and stems smooth or nearly so. C. E. 
M. bella Pip. 
MM. Leaves and stems with a dense short reflexed pubescence. E. 
M. hella intonsa Pip. 

