# Alaska Oniongrass (*melica subulata*)

Alaska Oniongrass is a fun, grassy plant that grows in the wild! It has long, slender leaves that sway in the breeze, making it a cool spot for little critters to hide.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Habitat:** Alaska Oniongrass thrives in grasslands and open areas, often found in coastal regions.
- **Also known as:** Alaskan Grass, Onion Grass, Wild Onion Grass

![Alaska Oniongrass](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Melicasubulata.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melicasubulata.jpg)

## Appearance

The Alaska Oniongrass is a slender, tall grass, typically green with a distinct reddish or purplish swollen base that resembles an onion. Its narrow flowering stalk holds small, greenish to purple spikelets. This grass stands out from others by its slightly bulbous stem base and overall height.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Poales
- **Family:** Poaceae
- **Genus:** Melica

## Interesting facts

- Despite its name, the 'onion' part isn't a true bulb, but a thickened stem base!
- It's like a natural compass; it often grows in large patches in open, sunny areas!
- Its scientific name, 'subulata,' means 'awl-shaped,' referring to a sharp part of its tiny flowers.
- This grass is a 'cool-season' plant, meaning it grows best when temperatures are milder!

## Special abilities

- **Bulbous Base Power:** Alaska Oniongrass has a unique swollen stem base that stores water and nutrients, helping it survive dry spells and harsh conditions.
- **Scent Signal:** When crushed, Alaska Oniongrass releases an onion-like smell that might deter some plant-eating animals or signal its presence.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-100 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — A common forage plant.
- **Eaten by:** [Elk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elk) (*Cervus canadensis*) — Grazed by these large herbivores.
- **Eaten by:** [Hoary Marmot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hoary-marmot) (*Marmota caligata*) — A food source for mountain rodents.

## Traits

- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Alaska Oniongrass?

Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Alaska Oniongrass?

30-100 cm

### How big are the flowers on Alaska Oniongrass?

0.5-1 cm

### When does Alaska Oniongrass bloom?

Late spring to summer

### Is Alaska Oniongrass edible?

Yes

### Is Alaska Oniongrass toxic?

None

### What is Alaska Oniongrass's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is Alaska Oniongrass pollinated?

Wind

## Where to spot

- [Langford Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/langford-lake-park) — British Columbia, CA · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Alaska Oniongrass: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alaska-oniongrass)