Appearance
''Molinia caerulea'' is a bunchgrass ''tussock-forming'' perennial, growing up to 90 cm tall, with many closely packed stems.The leaves are coarse, green, taper to a point, long, flat and sometimes slightly hairy on top. Due to the dense tussock it is very resistant to heath fires. Its ligule is a ring of hairs, as in heath grass. 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.
Status
Purple moor grass and rush pastures is a United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan habitat, on account of its rarity.
Habitat
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.
Predators
The caterpillars of some Lepidoptera use it as a foodplant, e.g., the Chequered Skipper.''Claviceps purpurea'' is an ascomycetous fungus which grows on the seeds of purple moor grass.
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