Harford's Oniongrass
Melica harfordii
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
John Rusk (www.flickr.com) from Berkeley, CA, United States of America
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Melica
- Species:
- Melica harfordii
- USDA Symbol:
- MEHA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire. Native to fire-prone woodland and forest understory habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open, rocky slopes and woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Cold stratification improves germination rates. Seeds germinate best in cool conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Place the seed into finely woven mesh bags and then place the mesh bags into gallon freezer bags filled with wet soil mix. Place these in a cooler at 40° F for 90 days. After stratification treatment, transplant 3 to 5 seedlings into 10 ci conetainers filled with Sunshine Mix #4, and water heavily to prevent desiccation. No fertilizer is added to the soil mix.
Establishment: Seed was planted on March 22. Plants were fully established within 8 weeks. Beds are sown most commonly from late September through early November. Sowings from late February through mid-April are also successful, though first year crop weights from these spring plantings will be less than fall plantings. Individual plants die after 2-5 (or more) years. Typical lifespan of plantings is 3-4 years.
Source: npn.rngr.net