Melica nutans Mountain Melick R DD N
The common Melick is Melica uniflora (Wood Melick) but this one can be found in limestone areas with a little searching. The flower head is larger than M. uniflora and more striking but both are attractive grass species. Photographs of M. nutans are nearly always presented when the plant is in fruit perhpas because in flower it is easily overlooked.
M. nutans is found much more often in the north of England than the south and is actually common in the hghlands of Scotland. It is absent from southern England and the whole of Ireland. It is found dotted here and there thoughout Wales.
Gaitbarrows, north Lancashire 12th June 2004
Added on January 29th 2005, updated 21st December 2010, updated 5th July 2014