Alaska Oniongrass (Melica subulata)

A grass for woodland meadows…

Alaska oniongrass is a beautiful electric green grass of upland forests. Within these spaces if forms verdant “fields” below the understory of taller trees -- especially where the lower canopy is raised up to provide space for this soft, waving, roughly 24-inch-tall grass to grow. 

More than that, it’s an interestingly edible wild food plant with small, sometimes clustering corms that superficially resemble bunching onions. These corms, can be roasted to produce a mild-flavored, slightly starchy food. Its long, pliable stems are exceptional for weaving and basketry. 

This is a standout species for its excellent woodland groundcover properties. Extensive rhizome growth allows it to slowly form large colonies under favorable conditions. Pair it with columbine and shade phacelia to create a beautiful forest garden. It naturally occurs from Alaska to California, eastward throughout the northern Rockies, and it will almost certainly benefit from some cold weather exposure to maximize germination success. Note: In our experience Alaska oniongrass is a fairly deer-resistant species. Carefree, beautiful, and functional, this grass is a foundational woodland matrix species. 

Approximately 100 seeds (0.3 grams)