Small melick (Melica minuta, Mant. pl. 1:32. 1767)

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Mant. pl. 1:32. 1767

Year: 1767

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Melica

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit.

Description

Small melick, scientifically referred to as Melica minuta, is a fascinating member of the Poaceae family, a diverse family of grasses known for their ecological and economic importance. This species was notably described in the year 1767, under the authoritative work “Mantissa Plantarum” by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, herein referred to as “L.” through his standard botanical author abbreviation.

The habitat range of Melica minuta largely encompasses the Mediterranean region, which is highlighted by its observation with the notation “Medit.” This indicates that the small melick thrives in the characteristic climates of the Mediterranean basin, which include hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters—conditions that support a wide variety of unique flora.

Belonging to the extensive grass family Poaceae, the small melick exhibits the typical morphology associated with grasses but stands out due to its diminutive size and particular adaptations. These adaptations allow it to successfully compete and flourish in the specific ecological niches found in Mediterranean environments.

In understanding Melica minuta, one appreciates not only its role within its native habitat but also the broader ecological interactions it supports. As part of the intricate tapestry of the Mediterranean ecosystem, small melick contributes to the diversity and stability of this uniquely adapted biological community.

Common Names

En: Small Melick
Ca: Mèlica menuda
Fr: Mélique pyramidale, Petite Mélique, Mélique de Méditerranée
He: הררית קטנה
It: Melica, Melica minuta, Melica piramidale
: Small melick

Synonyms

• Melica ramosa (Vill.)
• Melica pyramidalis (Lam.)
• Melica minuta subsp. major ((Sm.) Trab.)
• Melica major (Sm.)
• Melica saxatilis (Sm.)
• Melica australis (Coss. ex Parl.)
• Melica anceps (Lojac.)
• Melica minuta var. densissima (Papp)
• Melica baetica (Boutelou ex Willk. & Lange)
• Melica pyramidalis subsp. ramosa ((Vill.) P.Fourn.)
• Melica ramosa var. longiglumis (Hausskn.)
• Melica minuta subsp. arrecta ((Kunze) Breistr.)
• Melica ramosa subsp. saxatilis ((Sm.) Boiss.)
• Melica cyrenaica (Viv.)
• Melica arrecta (Kunze)
• Melica ramosa var. minuta (DC.)
• Melica minuta subsp. saxatilis ((Sm.) Boiss.)
• Melica aspera (Desf.)
• Melica minuta var. amana (Melderis)
• Melica minuta var. major ((Sm.) Lange)
• Melica minuta var. ramosa ((Vill.) Fiori)
• Melica ramosa var. saxatilis ((Sm.) Boiss.)
• Melica guruguensis (Sennen)
• Melica minuta var. sorrentinoi ((Lojac.) W.Hempel)
• Melica sorrentinoi (Lojac.)
• Melica minuta var. pyramidalis ((Lam.) Trab.)
• Melica pyramidalis subsp. arrecta ((Kunze) P.Fourn.)
• Melica rimarum (Gand.)
• Melica minuta subsp. latifolia ((Coss.) W.Hempel)
• Melica minuta var. saxatilis ((Sm.) Coss.)
• Melica minuta var. latifolia (Coss.)
• Melica ramosa subsp. major ((Sm.) W.Hempel)
• Dalucum ramosum ((Vill.) Bubani)
• Melica ramosa var. depauperata (Mutel)
• Dalucum majus ((Sm.) Bubani)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 21, 2009 by Tela Botanica − null null (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2021 by Cristian Zanella Cristian Zanella (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 6, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Marie PAGNIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2009 by Tela Botanica − null null (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2009 by Tela Botanica − null null (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Apr 20, 2009 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2020 by gabouille (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Fruit

Taken Jun 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 16, 2019 by Faïza AIOUANI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2021 by Luc na (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2021 by Olivier Benhamou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/4119222)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:408063-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Melica minuta L.)

Specifications

Growth