Melica spectabilis is a species of grass known by the common names purple oniongrass and showy oniongrass.
| Melica spectabilis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Melica |
| Species: | M. spectabilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Melica spectabilis | |
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