Melica montezumae facts for kids

Melica montezumae, also known as Montezuma melicgrass, is a type of grass. It belongs to the Poaceae family, which is the big family of grasses. You can find this special grass growing in Texas and Mexico.

What Does Montezuma Melicgrass Look Like?

Montezuma melicgrass is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows in clumps, which is called "caespitose."

Stems and Leaves

The main stems of the grass, called culms, can grow quite tall. They are usually between 50 and 100 centimeters (about 20 to 40 inches) long. The parts that wrap around the stem, called leaf-sheaths, feel a bit rough and are shaped like tubes.

The leaf-blades, which are the main parts of the leaves, are about 2 to 3 millimeters wide. They can be either flat or rolled inwards.

Flowers and Seeds

The grass has a flower cluster called a panicle. This panicle is open and can be 8 to 16 centimeters (about 3 to 6 inches) long. The branches of the panicle spread out, and the small flower parts, called spikelets, hang down.

Each fertile spikelet is shaped like a wedge and is about 7 to 8 millimeters long. Inside, it has one fertile floret, which is a small flower. The outer part of this floret, called the lemma, is smooth and shaped like an oval. It is about 6 to 7 millimeters long.

The flowers have three anthers, which are the parts that hold pollen. After the flowers are pollinated, the plant produces fruits. These fruits are a type of seed called a caryopsis.

Where Does Montezuma Melicgrass Grow?

Melica montezumae likes to grow in shady spots. You can often find it in the mountains of Texas and Mexico.