322. Alaska Oniongrass

 Alaska Onion Grass (Melica subulata) is one of the few native species of grass we have at Leaning Oaks.  Commonest under the shade of some of our Douglas-fir it is an indicator of a rare plant community on southern Vancouver Island.  Onion grasses are so named for the bulb like corm found at the base of the stem.  The corm of this species is said to be edible, with a nutty flavour, although I haven't tried it myself.   This is a perennial grass that spreads by rhizomes. There are two other species of Melica on southern Vancouver Island, but neither of those species produce the onion-like corms.