Melica spectabilis
| Melica spectabilis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Melica |
| Species: | M. spectabilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Melica spectabilis | |
Melica spectabilis is a species of grass known by the common names purple oniongrass and showy oniongrass.
Distribution[edit]
It is native to western North America from British Columbia to northern California to the Rocky Mountains, where it grows in moist meadows, forests, and other mountainous habitat.
Description[edit]
Melica spectabilis is a perennial grass which varies in maximum height from under 10 centimetres (3.9 in) to nearly a meter, growing from rhizomes and stalked, onionlike corms. The inflorescence is a narrow series of spikelets which are green with evenly spaced purple bands.
External links[edit]
- Jepson Manual Treatment - Melica spectabilis
- Grass Manual Treatment
- Melica spectabilis - Photo gallery