Scientific Name
Melica bulbosa Geyer ex Porter & J.M. Coult. (Synonyms: Bromelica bulbosa)
Common Name(s)
Oniongrass
Tribe / Family Name
Meliceae
Flowering Period
May to August
Symbol
MEBU
Description
Oniongrass is a native, cool-season perennial bunchgrass occasionally with very short rhizomes; reproduction occurs from seeds and tillers from bulbous culm bases. Culms range from 30–100 cm in height. Its inflorescence is narrow panicle 7–30 cm long with short and erect branches. Spikelets are 6–24 mm long, papery with maturity, 4- to 7-flowered, and unawned. Ligules are up to 6 mm long, membranous, acute, erose to deeply lacerate, and glabrous.
General Info
Oniongrass can be found in meadows, alluvial fans, foothills, on benches and ridgetops, open rocky woodlands and sagebrush slopes that are dry to fairly moist, along streams and forest margins, and montane to subalpine sites.
Similar Species
Oniongrass may look similar to other melicgrass (Melica) plants. To distinguish this type of grass from other melicgrass plants, look for the appressed-panicle inflorescence with spikelets attached to short, erect pedicels. Also, oniongrass has purple-tinged bands mainly near the tips of the spikelets.
Picture of growth habit.
Close-up picture of narrow panicle inflorescences.
Close-up picture of spikelet.
Close-up picture of membranous ligule.
Close-up picture of bulbous base and roots.
Illustration of oniongrass. USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. <i>Manual of the grasses of the United States</i>. USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 200. Washington, DC.