Carried by 33 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Melica californica, known by the common name California Melicgrass, is a species in the Poaceae (Grass) family. It is native to Oregon and California, where it grows in many types of habitats, from mountain forests to open grassland at sea level. In California it is found primarily in the Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills.
California Melicgrass is a perennial grass, generally with rhizomes, producing a dense cluster of stems up to about 4 ft. (1.3 meters) in maximum height. The flower cluster is a narrow series of purple-banded green spikelets. The flower clusters are attractive even after this grass has gone dormant in late summer or fall. In cultivation it performs best in part shade with low to moderate water.
Grass
1 - 4 ft Tall
1 ft Wide
Upright, Fountain
Fast, Moderate
None
Yellow, Green, Purple
Summer
Deer resistant
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Low, Very Low
Max 1x / week once established
Easy
Tolerates cold to -10° F
Medium
Tolerates a variety of soils as long as drainage is good.
Tolerates serpentine soil..
Soil PH: 5.5 - 7.5
2, 3, 5, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Open or rocky hillsides and slopes of southern, central, and northern California, often in chaparral, grasslands, oak woodlands, or forest habitats.
Foothill Woodland, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Yellow Pine Forest
Use as an understory with Oaks (Quercus spp.), evergreens or other trees. Also useful in a meadow-like garden or rock garden with other native grasses, annual wildflowers, herbaceous perennials such as California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), or succulents such as Dudleya spp. or Sedum spp.
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 1 likely
Rural Skipper
Ochlodes agricola