Melica smithii
# Melica smithii

Melica smithii (Smith's melic grass) is a species of grass that grows in the Canadian provinces Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, and the US states Idaho, Michigan, Montana, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The species is named after Charles Eastwick Smith.

## Description

The species have scabrous leaf-sheaths and leaf-blades, with the last one being lax as well. Both leath-sheaths and blades are 10–20 centimetres (3.9–7.9 in) long and 6–12 millimetres (0.24–0.47 in) wide. It have 12–25 centimetres (4.7–9.8 in) long panicle with solitary branches. They are also distant and naked and sometimes 10 centimetres (3.9 in) reflexed. The species' spikelets have 3-6 flowers, are 18–20 millimetres (0.71–0.79 in) long and are purple in colour.

## Habitat

Can be found deciduous forests amongst beech, maple, and hemlock trees.

## Threat level

In Wisconsin the species is considered to be endangered.

