California melic facts for kids

Quick facts for kids California melic
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Pooideae
Genus:	Melica
Species:	M. californica
Binomial name
Melica californica Scribn.
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Melica californica is a type of grass often called California melic. It's a plant that grows in many parts of California and Oregon.

Where California Melic Grows

This grass naturally grows in Oregon and California. You can find it in many different places. It lives everywhere from cool mountain forests to wide-open grasslands right by the ocean.

What California Melic Looks Like

California melic is a perennial grass. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows in a thick clump, like a "bunch." It often has special underground stems called rhizomes. These help the plant spread and grow new shoots. The stems can grow quite tall, up to about 1.3 meters (about 4 feet).

The top part of the plant, called the inflorescence, holds the seeds. It looks like a narrow group of small flowers. These flowers are often green with pretty purple stripes.

Why People Plant California Melic

People sometimes grow California melic in their gardens. It is a popular choice for special plant collections. It makes a nice ornamental grass because of its looks.

This grass is great for gardens that want to look natural. It is also a good choice for native plant gardens. Since it can handle dry weather, it is perfect for drought-tolerant gardens. These gardens save water. It also helps create good habitat gardens for local wildlife.