Melica bulbosa

$2.30

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Onion grass

A locally rare perennial grass that grows 1 to 2 1/2 feet tall. It has bulbous-based stems clustered on short rhizomes that gives it its name.

Onion grass (not related to onions) grows on moist to dry slopes in open woods, and well-drained slopes along streams. It’s natural habitat includes mountain forest and woods, open hillsides, and streambanks.

It looks lovely combined with poppies.

Raw roots pounded like pinole by Native Americans.

Lifeform: Grass

Sun: Part Shade

Water: Dry, Light

Soil: Clay, Loam, Rocky, Sand

Other: Erosion Control

 

Ecological Value

A variety of small animals use both the seeds and the bulbs.

Container

Stub, StubS

Historical Uses

Raw roots pounded like pinole by Native Americans.

Distribution

Native to western North America from British Columbia to the Rocky Mountains to California

Elevation

Between 7000 and 11000 feet

Communities
Habitat

Mountain forest and woods, open hillsides, and streambanks.