Scientific Family
Poaceae
Synonyms
Melica parviflora
Plant type
Grasses
Riparian
Yes
Grass Description
Origin
Native
Season
Warm
Moist open woods, canyons and rocky slopes.
Plant Community
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Riparian
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
8000
General Description
Grows 18 to 40 inches tall, in small tufts with short rhizomes.
Moderately tall perennial with closed sheaths; flat blades and narrow; open branched seedheads; spikelet central stem exceeds the florets; spikelets have 1 to 7 bisexual and 2 to 3 sterile florets. Variety laxa is found in Coconino County.
Grass type
Perennial bunchgrass
Rhizomes
Yes
Stolons
No
Clump Diameter 2 ft or more
No
Bushy - highly branched
No
Height with Seedheads
24 inches or more
Seedhead Structure
Branched - contracted
Seedhead droops
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
October
Flower Characteristics
Flowers per Spikelet
Multi-flowered
Spikelets One-Sided
Yes
Awns
Absent
Three Awns
No
Awns bent
No
Flower and Seedhead Notes
Seedhead branches appressed or moderately spreading.
Vegetative Characteristics
Blade is hairy
No
Blade margins white
No
Blade cross-section
Flat
Blades are 1/16 to 1/4 inch wide, both surfaces smooth to slightly rough.
Sheath is hairy
No
Tufts of hair top of sheath or collar
No
Ligule
Membranous
Auricles
No
Not available.