| Melica aristata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Melica |
| Species: | M. aristata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Melica aristata | |
Melica aristata is a species of grass known by the common names awned melic and bearded melicgrass.
It is native to the western United States from the Pacific Northwest to the Sierra Nevada and nearby ranges, where it grows in mountain forests and open hillsides.
Melica aristata is a rhizomatous perennial grass growing up to 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) tall. The inflorescence is a narrow series of cylindrical spikelets. Each spikelet has an awn up to 1.2 centimeters long, the characteristic which distinguishes it from the other melics.[1]