Melica (imperfecta)
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Betty Young Nurseries Sr Manager Bldg 201, Fort Mason San Francisco, California 94123 415-331-6917 415-331-7521 (fax) byoung@ggnpa.org |
| Family Scientific Name: | Poaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Grass Family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Melica imperfecta Trin. | ||
| Common Synonym: | Melica imperfecta Trin. flexulosa | ||
| Common Name: | Small Flower Melicgrass | ||
| Species Code: | MELIMP | ||
| Ecotype: | Marin county, California | ||
| General Distribution: | M. imperfecta is found in dry rocky places below 4,000 feet elevation; from Santa Clara and Eldorado counties south to Lower California and east to the Mojave Desert. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | Leach Tube | ||
| Time To Grow: | 0 | ||
| Target Specifications: | Height: N/A<br> Caliper: N/A<br> Root System: Firm plug in container. | ||
| Propagule Collection: |
Seeds are collected between April 15th and June 15th. Mature inflorescences are brown. Seed is tan at maturity. |
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| Propagule Processing: |
Seed Cleaning: Storage Conditions: Seeds are kept dry and stored in a refrigerator. |
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| Pre-Planting Treatments: | Soak seeds overnight in fresh water and cold stratify for 2 weeks in peat. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Fully Controlled Greenhouse. Sowing Method: Transplanting Germinants. 6 grams of seeds are sown per flat containing Sunshine Mix #4 Aggregate Plus (peat moss, perlite, major and minor nutrients, gypsum, and dolomitic lime). Seeds are sown 2 times the diameter to depth. Flats are watered in with an automatic irrigation system. Seeds are sown on September 1st. % Germination: 30% |
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| Establishment Phase: |
Seeds germinate 21 days after sowing. Seedlings are transplanted 21 days after germination to individual containers 1.5"x 8" tubes (Leach tubes) containing standard potting mix of peat moss, fir bark, perlite, and sand. Transplant Survival averages 95%. |
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| Length of Establishment Phase: | 42 days | ||
| Active Growth Phase: |
Fertilize with Nutricote NPK (13-13-13) 3 months after transplanting. Prune back to 2 to 3 inches 3 months after transplanting. |
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| Other Comments: | M. imperfecta has irregular and staggered germination. Keep flats at least 3 months before composting. Try direct sowing if seed lot has good germination rate. | ||
| References: | A California Flora and Supplement, Munz, P., University of California Press, Berkeley and London, 1973. | ||
Citation:
Young, Betty. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Melica imperfecta Trin. plants Leach Tube; San Francisco, California. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/21). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
