Threeflower Melicgrass
(Melica nitens)
Threeflower Melicgrass (Melica nitens)
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Cleveland Powell
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Cleveland Powell
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Cleveland Powell | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Cleveland Powell | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-04-28T11:33:02-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Melica nitens, commonly known as Threeflower Melicgrass, is a deciduous perennial grass native to open woodlands, forest edges, and grasslands in the Central and Southeastern USA. It typically grows up to 1.3 meters tall and can form clumps due to its short rhizomes. The inflorescence is a branching panicle of spikelets, each typically bearing three perfect flowers that are arranged in one-sided panicles, which bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they add a delicate texture to the landscape.
Threeflower Melicgrass is valued for its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, making it a versatile choice for naturalized areas, meadows, and restoration projects. It is also used for erosion control due to its clumping habit. This grass prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water, performing best in soils with medium to fast drainage. While it is not commonly affected by diseases, it can suffer from rust in very humid conditions. Threeflower Melicgrass is not known for being invasive and is a low-maintenance option for gardeners looking to add native grasses to their plantings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Threeflower Melicgrass is valued for its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, making it a versatile choice for naturalized areas, meadows, and restoration projects. It is also used for erosion control due to its clumping habit. This grass prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water, performing best in soils with medium to fast drainage. While it is not commonly affected by diseases, it can suffer from rust in very humid conditions. Threeflower Melicgrass is not known for being invasive and is a low-maintenance option for gardeners looking to add native grasses to their plantings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1.5-4 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands, forest edges, and grasslands
Other Names
Common Names: Three-Flower Melic, Shining Oniongrass, Threeflower Melic
Scientific Names: , Melica nitens, Melica scabra, Melica diffusa var. nitens,
GBIF Accepted Name: Melica nitens (Scribn.) Nutt. ex Piper