Accepted Symbol
MESP
Symbol
MESP
Scientific Name
Melica Spectabilis
Common Name
Purple Oniongrass
Category
Monocot
Genus
Melica
Family
Poaceae
Family Symbol
POACEA
Family Common Name
Grass Family
Plant Guides
Ecology and Taxonomy Data
Orders
Liliales
Subclass
Liliidae
Class
Liliopsida
Division
Magnoliophyta
Superdivision
Spermatophyta
Subkingdom
Tracheobionta
Kingdom
Plantae
Itis Tsn
42750
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Forb/herb
Native Status
L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Morphology/Physiology
Active Growth Period
Spring and Summer
After Harvest Regrowth Rate
Slow
Bloat
None
C N Ratio
Medium
Coppice Potential
No
Fall Conspicuous
No
Fire Resistance
No
Flower Color
Purple
Flower Conspicuous
No
Foliage Color
Green
Foliage Porosity Summer
Porous
Foliage Porosity Winter
Porous
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Fruit Color
Purple
Fruit Conspicuous
No
Growth Form
Rhizomatous
Growth Rate
Moderate
Maximum Feet
2.5
Height
No
Mature Feet
No
Known Allelopath
Moderate
Leaf Retention
Yes
Lifespan
None
Low Growing Grass
No
Nitrogen Fixation
Erect
Resprout Ability
None
Growth Data
Adapted To Coarse Textured Soils
No
Adapted To Medium Textured Soils
Yes
Adapted To Fine Textured Soils
Yes
Anaerobic Tolerance
None
Caco3 Tolerance
Low
Cold Stratification Required
No
Drought Tolerance
High
Fertility Requirement
Low
Fire Tolerance
High
Frost Free Days
110
Hedge Tolerance
None
Moisture Use
Low
Ph Minimum
6.0
Ph Maximum
7.5
Planting Density Per Acre
2700
Maximum
4800
Precipitation Minimum
12
Precipitation Maximum
30
Root Depth
10
Minimum Inches
Low
Salinity Tolerance
Intermediate
Shade Tolerance
-33
Reproduction Data
Bloom Period
Late Spring
Commercial Availability
Field Collections Only
Fruit Seed Abundance
Low
Fruit Seed Period Begin
Summer
Fruit Seed Period End
Summer
Fruit Seed Persistence
No
Propogated By Bare Root
No
Propogated By Bulbs
Yes
Propogated By Container
No
Propogated By Corms
No
Propogated By Cuttings
No
Propogated By Seed
Yes
Propogated By Sod
No
Propogated By Sprigs
No
Propogated By Tubers
No
Seeds Per Pound
556000
Seed Spread Rate
Slow
Seedling Vigor
Low
Small Grain
No
Vegetative Spread Rate
Slow
Sustainibility Data
Berry Nut Seed Product
No
Christmas Tree Product
No
Fodder Product
Yes
Lumber Product
No
Naval Store Product
No
Nursery Stock Product
No
Palatable Browse Animal
Medium
Palatable Graze Animal
High
Palatable Human
No
Post Product
No
Protein Potential
Low
Pulpwood Product
No
Veneer Product
No
