About Melica frutescens Scribn.
Melica frutescens Scribn. is a perennial grass species with woody culms that measure 75–200 centimetres (30–79 in) in length. This species has sparse lateral branches; its leaf sheaths are scabrous, tubular, and closed. The leaf-blades of Melica frutescens are 2–4 millimetres (0.079–0.157 in) wide. Its panicle is contracted and linear, reaching 12–35 centimetres (4.7–13.8 in) in length, with filiform pedicels attached to fertile spikelets. The main panicle branches are appressed and bear oblong, solitary spikelets that are 12–18 millimetres (0.47–0.71 in) long. Each spikelet contains 3–6 fertile florets, which are reduced in size toward the apex. The species' sterile florets are barren, oblong, grow in clumps, and measure 4.5–6.5 millimetres (0.18–0.26 in) long. The fertile lemma is chartaceous, keelless, oblong, and 8–11 millimetres (0.31–0.43 in) long. Both the lower and upper glumes are chartaceous, elliptical, keelless, and have acute apexes, but they differ in size: the lower glume is 7–12 millimetres (0.28–0.47 in) long, while the upper glume is 9–15 millimetres (0.35–0.59 in) long. The flowers are fleshy, oblong, truncate, grow clustered together, and have 3 anthers. The fruit is a caryopsis with an additional pericarp.
