IMPORTANT RANGE PLANTS. 21 



turity. It is found rather sparingly on the higher ranges, but is fairly 

 abundant in glades and sparsely timbered areas of medium moisture 

 in both the Canadian and Transition zones. 



Onion Grass. 



(Melica bella.) 



The species of the genus Melica, over 50 of which have been de- 

 scribed, are distributed throughout the temperate and subtropical 

 regions. Several are of value for grazing, but the genus as a whole, 

 contains few species of high economic importance. 



Onion grass enjoys a rather wide distribution, growing luxuriantly 

 in the upper Canadian zone, but also succeeding well in the Hudson- 

 ian zone. It rarely occurs as the predominating species in a plant 

 formation, but appears in rather scattered stands in association with 

 such species as mountain bunch grass and short-awned bromegrass, 

 on well-drained soils. In its ability to exist in soils of low water con- 

 tent it is very similar to mountain bunchgrass, the plant wilting be- 

 yond recovery from this condition when the soil water is reduced to 

 from 6.3 to 8.5 per cent. 



Onion grass is a perennial, bulbous at the base, fibrous rooted (Plate 

 XVI). Culms 1 to 2 feet tall, sheaths and blades smooth or slightly 

 rough to the touch. The panicle is sparsely branched, and the spike- 

 lets usually bear 5 flowers. The lower or empty glumes are shorter 

 than the scale of the floret, and both the glumes and the lemma, es- 

 pecially the part of the latter naturally exposed, are dark purple when 

 young, fading to light brown upon the approach of maturity. 



The flower stalks appeared from July 20 to August 10, in 1907, 

 July 15 to August 15 in 1908, and July 10 to August 15 in 1909. In 

 1908 matured seeds were not found until August 20, and in the other 

 two seasons the seed-maturing period was even later; in fact, this 

 function was so much delayed in many situations, particularly where 

 grazing had been carried on excessively, that a large amount of the 

 seed failed to mature at all. 



Germination tests showed the seed to have a low vitality. In 1907 

 negative results were obtained, and in 1908 only 4 per cent germina- 

 tion was secured. In 1909 no germination test was made. From 

 these data and the fact that it is not regenerating on the range, the 

 species would seem poorly adapted to the revegetation of depleted 

 ranges. 



Notwithstanding the fact that onion grass has a wide distribution 

 and ranks high in palatability, its scattered growth restricts its 

 value as a forage plant. It starts growth early in the spring and, 

 since it continues activities until late in the season, is relished through- 

 out the summer by all classes of stock, and especially by sheep. 



