Molinia caerulea

Molinia caerulea
Habitus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Molinia
Species:	M. caerulea
Binomial name
Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench
Synonyms
Aira caerulea

Molinia caerulea (Purple Moor Grass) is a perennial grass native to Europe, west Asia, and north Africa. It grows in locations from the lowlands up to 2,300 m 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 Britain. Introduced populations exist in northeastern and northwestern North America, and as a horticultural ornamental plant.^[1]

Purple moor grass and rush pastures is a United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan habitat, on account of its rarity.

Identification

Molinia caerulea is a bunchgrass tussock-forming perennial, growing up to 90 cm 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.^[2] 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 long.

It flowers between July and September, later than any other species.

Other associated species

The caterpillars of some Lepidoptera use it as a foodplant, e.g., the Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon).

Claviceps purpurea is an ascomycetous fungus which grows on the seeds of purple moor grass.

References

1. ^ Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench, http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MOCA2 
2. ^ Grasses by C E Hubbard, 1978, published by Penguin books

• Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations page on purple moor grass.
• UK BAP Purple Moor and Rush Pastures
• Collins Pocket Guide Grasses Sedges Rushes and Ferns of Britain and Northern Europe, R Fitter, A Fitter, A Farrer
• Rose, Frances, 1974. Grasses, sedges and rushes, page 18-19
• "The Highwayman" Alfred Noyes
• Fire Beacon Hill

Gallery

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  Inflorescence

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  Habitus (german Horst)

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  Leaf and vegetative parts

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  Molinia caerulea at natural habitat near Silkeborg, Denmark.

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  Sclerotium of Claviceps purpurea which grows on the seeds of purple moor grass.

External links