Darnel
Lolium temulentum
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Lolium temulentum is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August. 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Cultivated fields and waste ground in Britain.
Europe - Mediterranean. An introduced casual in Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Seed - cooked. Used as a piñole or ground into a flour and used to make bread etc. It is very nutritious, like oats, but it is not advisable to eat the seed due to the risk of fungal infection. This fungal infection, called ergot, causes hallucinations in small doses but can cause severe damage to the nervous system in larger quantities.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The seed is anodyne and sedative. It is not actually the seed, but a fungus that is often found on the seed that has the medicinal properties.
Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The seed is not poisonous but it is often infected by a fungus which is very toxic. It is probably safer not to eat the seed because of the risk involved.