Molinia caerulea, known by the common name purple moor-grass,[1] is a species of grass that is native to Europe, west Asia, and north Africa. It grows in locations from the lowlands up to 2,300 m (7,546 ft) in the Alps. Like most grasses, it grows best in acid soils, ideally pH values of between 3.5 and 5, however, it can continue to live under more extreme conditions, sometimes to as low as 2. It is common on moist heathland, bogs and moorland throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Introduced populations exist in northeastern and northwestern North America.[2]
The specific epithetcaerulea means "deep blue"[3] and refers to the purple spikelets.
Description
Molinia caerulea is a perennial herbaceousbunchgrass (tussock-forming), growing up to 120 cm (47 in) tall (taller when sheltered by gorse and heather), with many closely packed stems. The leaves are coarse, green, taper to a point, long, flat and sometimes slightly hairy on top.[4] Due to the dense tussock it is very resistant to heath fires. Its ligule is a ring of hairs, as in heath grass (Danthonia decumbens). The long narrow purple spikelets are a major identification feature – the panicle is 15 cm (6 in) long.[5]
It flowers between July and September, later than any other species.
Molinia caerulea is cultivated for its panicles of purple spikelets on yellow stems. In cultivation it grows to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall by 40 cm (16 in) broad.[7] Numerous cultivars have been selected, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[8]
Fitter, Richard; Fitter, Alastair; Farrer, Ann (1984). Grasses, Sedges, Rushes and Ferns of Britain and Northern Europe. Collins Pocket Guides. Collins. ISBN0002191369.
Rose, Frances (1974). The Observer's Book of Grasses, Sedges and Rushes. Frederick Warne & Co. pp. 18–19.
