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Melica imperfecta
Melica imperfecta Trin.
Smallflower Melic Grass, Coast Range Melic Grass, Smallflower Melic, Coast Range Melic, Oniongrass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Melica imperfecta var. flexuosa, Melica imperfecta var. minor, Melica imperfecta var. refracta
USDA Symbol: meim
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A dense to loose bunchgrass with bright-green leaves and flowering culms to 4 ft. in height. Spikelets are mostly borne in narrow (sometimes open) panicles and are purplish.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: C. & s. CA
Native Habitat: Dry, open, often rocky slopes below 4000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rocky soils.
Propagation
Description: Sow seeds in fall.Seed Treatment: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Groundcover for erosion control
September 23, 2008
I live in southern california. What is the best groundcover
to plant on a slope to prevent erosion?
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Melica imperfecta in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Melica imperfecta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Melica imperfecta
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-25Research By: TWC Staff