Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Melica

Species:

Melica torreyana

USDA Symbol:

METO

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

120 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun,Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

green, purple

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from basal buds following fire; typical of California chaparral and woodland understory grasses.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

well-drained, sandy or loamy soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to open woodlands and grasslands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Cool temperatures favor germination. Sow in fall for natural cold stratification.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI