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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
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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 |
Estimated Native Range
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 drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for low-water gardens, 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 drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for low-water gardens, 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
- Water: Low
- 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.