Mountain melick (Melica nutans, Sp. Pl.: 66 (1753))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 66 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Melica

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Eurasia

Description

Mountain melick, scientifically known as Melica nutans, is a perennial grass species belonging to the Poaceae family. First described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753, this plant has since been recognized for its unique characteristics and widespread presence.

Mountain melick thrives predominantly in temperate regions of Eurasia, where it is typically found in woodlands and forest clearings, favoring the cool and shaded environments. The plant is noteworthy for its loose, nodding flower spikes, which elegantly dangle from slender stems. These flower clusters often give it a characteristic appearance, contributing to its common name.

The blades of Mountain melick are relatively broad compared to other grasses, providing a lush and verdant addition to the understory of temperate forests. The subtle elegance of this grass species makes it an interesting subject for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Given its adaptability and resilience, Mountain melick plays a crucial role in its ecosystem, providing cover and food for various forms of wildlife. Its ecological importance and botanical beauty ensure that Melica nutans remains a key plant species in the diverse flora of Eurasian temperate forests.

Common Names

Deu: nickendes perlgras
Dan: nikkende flitteraks
Swe: bergslok, bergsslok, slokgräs
Nor: hanggras, hangslook, lutslook
Eng: mountain melick
Nld: knikkend parelgras
Sme: dávgesuoidni
Cym: melic-wellt rhuddlas, melicwellt gogwydd, melicwellt rhuddlas, meligwellt gogwydd, meligwellt pendrwm
En: Mountain melick, Nodding Melick, Pearl-grass
Be: Перлаўка панікаючая
Ca: Mèlica nutant
Zh: 俯垂臭草
Hr: Kimajući mekuš
Cs: Strdivka nicí
Da: Nikkende flitteraks
Nl: Knikkend parelgras
Et: Longus helmikas
Fi: Nuokkuhelmikkä
Fr: Mélique penchée
De: Überhängendes Perlgras, Nickendes Perlgras, Glattes Perlgras, Waldgras
It: Melica, Melica delle faggete
Lt: Nusvirusioji striepsnė
Se: Dávgesuoidni
No: Hanggras, Hangslook, Lutslook
Pl: Perłówka zwisła
Ru: Перловник поникший
Sv: Bergslok, Bergsslok, Slokgräs
Cy: Meligwellt pendrwm, Melic-Wellt Rhuddlas, Melicwellt Gogwydd, Melicwellt Rhuddlas, Meligwellt Gogwydd

Synonyms

• Poa nutans ((L.) Clairv.)
• Melica nutans var. caespitosa (Podp.)
• Melica nutans var. composita (Murr)
• Melica nutans var. argyrolepis (Kom.)
• Melica amurensis ((Prob.) Tzvelev)
• Melica nutans var. grandiflora (Koidz.)
• Melica nutans f. pallescens (Lagerb.)
• Aira nutans ((L.) Weber)
• Melica nutans var. multiflora (Blytt)
• Melica picta f. fissurae (Nyár.)
• Melica grandiflora (Koidz.)
• Melica nutans f. fissurae ((Nyár.) Papp & Beldie)
• Melica komarovii (Luchnik)
• Melica nutans var. viridiflora (Opiz)
• Melica nutans f. paniculata ((Borbás) Holmb.)
• Melica nutans subsp. amurensis (Prob.)
• Dalucum nutans ((L.) Bubani)
• Melica nutans var. paniculata (Borbás)
• Melica nutans subsp. grandiflora ((Koidz.) T.Koyama)
• Melica montana (Lam.)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Netherlands (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken May 21, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by Настя Шевченко (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 12, 2019 by werner rom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 5, 2020 by Jochem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2021 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by Günther Oberländer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by Настя Шевченко (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by Настя Шевченко (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:408086-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/4118973)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Melica nutans L.)

Specifications

Growth