Small Flowered Melica
Melica imperfecta
Care
full sun, part shade
very low
Fast, Medium; Tolerates a variety of soils.
3–4ft tall , 1–1ft wide
Jan-Dec
Deciduous
Resistant
Friendly
Grasslands and oak woodlands throughout most of California from the north coast to San Diego County, below 3500 ft elevation.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Small Flowered Melica in full sun with well-draining soil - it tolerates a variety of soil types, so drainage matters more than soil composition. Space plants according to their mature size of 3–4 feet tall and wide. Fall and winter are ideal planting times, when the plant actively greens up with seasonal rains and can establish roots before summer.
After Planting
Water weekly through your first summer to establish the plant, then dial back to once monthly or less once established. This grass is summer dormant (turning brown) without supplemental water, but will stay green year-round if you continue watering - choose your preferred look and commit to it. Prune back dead growth in late winter before new growth emerges. The #1 mistake is overwatering after establishment; this Bay Area native thrives on drought and actually prefers dry conditions.
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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
California endemic kangaroo rat
Wildlife Supported
Mammals
primary seed cache component in California grasslands
Birds
important winter seed resource for overwintering populations
primary seed consumption September-November during migration staging
grass seed consumption during breeding season food demand
insects associated with grass foliage during nesting season
Insects
ascomycete fungus overwinters on host plant material
smut fungus affects seedlings during spring emergence