Melica ciliata L. subsp. magnolii (Gren. et Godr.) K. Richt.

Spice Inflorescence

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Melica

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Formentera. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): West Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Path and road sides, disturbed zones.

Characteristics: A Gramene which can reach up to one metre in height, it can be recognised because the inflorescence is long (from 15-25 cm) and dense, generally yellowish in colour, and the spikelets have silky hairs. It can be distinguished from Polypogon monspeliensis because this species has spikelets with long awns which make it very silky to the touch and shiny, which does not happen in Melica ciliata; moreover it lives along path-sides and in dry places whereas all the species of Polypogon prefer moist soils. It flowers at the end of spring and in summer.