Melica radula

Description

Melica radula is a species of grass endemic to China (Lea, Jilin, and Shanxi). It grows on grassy mountain slopes and larch forests at 300–1,200 metres (980–3,940 ft) above sea level The species is perennial and caespitose with 30–45 centimetres (12–18 in) long by 1–2 millimetres (0.039–0.079 in) wide culms. The leaf-sheaths are scabrous, smooth, tubular, and are closed on one end. The leaf-blades are convolute and are 5–12 centimetres (2.0–4.7 in) long by 0.8–2 millimetres (0.031–0.079 in) wide. The membrane is eciliated, 0.5 millimetres (0.020 in) long, and have a ligule. The panicle is linear, open, is 6–15 centimetres (2.4–5.9 in) long and carry 3–6 fertile spikelets. The main panicle branches are appressed. The radula (plural radulae or radulas) is an anatomical structure that is used by mollusks for feeding, sometimes compared to a tongue. It is a minutely toothed, chitinous ribbon, which is typically used for scraping or cutting food before the food enters the esophagus. The radula is unique to the molluscs, and is found in every class of mollusc except the bivalves.