Oniongrasses are perennial grasses in the genus Melica. Many of them are native to the Yuba-Sutter area.
California Melic
California melic is a two- to three-foot-tall, stress-deciduous grass that is native to Yuba and Sutter counties and typically grows at elevations below 4,000 feet. It is most often found on slopes and ridges in central oak woodland and yellow pine forest. It tolerates serpentine.
You can read more about it at the Theodore Payne Wiki, the Las Pilitas Nursery website, and USDA Conservation Plant Characteristics. You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Geyer's Oniongrass
Geyer's oniongrass is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations below 5,000 feet. It is found in yellow pine forest. It tolerates serpentine.
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Harford's Oniongrass
Harford's oniongrass is native to Yuba County and typically grows at elevations below 7,000 feet. It is found in yellow pine forest.
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Torrey's Melic
Torrey's melic is a one- to two-foot-tall, stress-deciduous grass that is native to Yuba and Sutter counties and typically grows at elevations below 2,500 feet. It is found in central oak woodland.
You can read more about it at the Las Pilitas Nursery website. You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.