Torrey’s Melicgrass
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(Melica torreyana)
Torrey’s Melicgrass (Melica torreyana)
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Dee Shea Himes
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Dee Shea Himes
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Dee Shea Himes | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Dee Shea Himes | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-05-02T17:38:41Z |
Summary
Melica torreyana, commonly known as Torrey’s Melicgrass, is a semi-deciduous perennial grass native to the open woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral regions of California, particularly thriving in the coastal ranges. It typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters) and a width of 0.5-1 feet (0.2-0.3 meters). This grass is characterized by its delicate, nodding flower spikes that appear in late spring to early summer, with a subtle green to purplish coloration that is not particularly showy but adds a fine-textured element to the landscape.
Torrey’s Melicgrass is valued for its ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for naturalized areas and restoration projects. It is often used as an ornamental grass in borders or as a ground cover. This grass prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade and requires well-drained soils. While it is low maintenance, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry periods. There are no significant disease or pest issues, but it can self-seed and spread if conditions are favorable, which should be monitored to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Torrey’s Melicgrass is valued for its ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for naturalized areas and restoration projects. It is often used as an ornamental grass in borders or as a ground cover. This grass prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade and requires well-drained soils. While it is low maintenance, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry periods. There are no significant disease or pest issues, but it can self-seed and spread if conditions are favorable, which should be monitored to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Native to open woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral regions of California
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: Melica torreyana, Melica imperfecta var. sesquiflora
GBIF Accepted Name: Melica torreyana Scribn.