Canadian Wild Rye
Elymus canadensis
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Elymus canadensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 0.8
Where it is found
Dry sandy gravelly or rocky soil. Thickets and open woods in limestone and sandy clay soils in Texas.
N. America - in most areas except the far south. Recorded, but not yet naturalized in N. Europe
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Seed - cooked. It can be ground into a flour and used to make bread. Quite fiddly to use, the seed is small and difficult to separate. The seed was an important item of food for the Paiute Indians of south-western N. America.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The plant has an extensive root system and can be used for binding sand dunes.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
How it is grown
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils, preferring a sandy soil and a sunny position. Plants can flower too late to ripen their seed in Britain, especially in the western half of the country. A polymorphic species.
Propagating it: Seed - sow mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. If the supply of seed is limited, it can also be sown in mid spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in summer Division in spring or summer. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-7
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist