30 to 70 cm tall. Panicle 10 to 20 cm, spreading, very loose. Little branched, erect or nodding.

Siberian Melick (M altissimus) is popular in gardens, especially as var. 'Alba', and may naturalise; it is more robust and has larger spikelets.

Sheaths with long bristle at apex on side opposite ligule.

Photograph the whole plant, in flower, or details of ligule if not in flower

Open woodland in light shade, and preferring lighter soils; old woodland.

Flowers in May and June.

Perennial.

Widespread and fairly frequent in woodland throughout much of Britain.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in 29 of the 617 tetrads.