Drinn
Stipagrostis pungens

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

Also known by the scientific name Aristida pungens. Stipagrostis pungens is a robust perennial 50 cm to 1 m). It is a long rhizomatous plant, recognizable by inflorescences composed of spikelets, in loose and ventilated panicles. Common throughout the Sahara, the drinn is perfectly adapted to sandy habitats. A traditional food plant in Africa, this grain has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development.

Stipagrostis pungens is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) 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 dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Common throughout the Sahara. Adapted to sandy habitats, represented by deep sandy clusters (dunes, ergs).

Africa Europe, Asia

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa. North Africa, Sahara, West Africa. Central Africa. Algeria, Egypt, Chad, Libya, Mauritania, Morrocco, Mediterranean, Sudan. Asia: Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia. Europe: Belgium

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Edible Portion: Seeds, Cereal. A traditional food plant in Africa, this grain has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and support sustainable landcare. It is used in kreb a grain mixture eaten in Chad. Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple Crop: balanced carb (The term staple crop typically refers to a food that is eaten routinely and accounts for a dominant part of people's diets in a particular region of the world).

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 1

A traditional medicinal annual plant growing in Tunisia.

Other

Rating: 2

Paper and Fibre mats: The chemical composition of S. pungens has showed that it contains quite high amount of extractives, lignin (around 12%) and polysaccharides (71%). The a-cellulose amounts are acceptable (44%).

Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Staple Crop: Balanced carb: (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.

Wild Staple Crop: Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.

Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Staple Crop: Balanced carb: (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.

Wild Staple Crop: Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

Climate: tropical. Humidity: arid to semi-arid. Extremely drought-resistant, drinn grows in areas with as little as 70 mm of rainfall per year. Perennial, robust (50 cm to 1 m), long rhizomatous plant, recognizable by inflorescences composed of spikelets, in loose and ventilated panicles. Common throughout the Sahara, the drinn is perfectly adapted to sandy habitats, represented by deep sandy clusters (dunes, ergs). The steppe in drinn is an essential pasture for camels. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: wild staple. Management: standard, coppice (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation). .

Propagating it: Seed. rhizomes.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Can be invasive in all it's growing areas.

Its other names

Local names

Drinn, Eilig

Synonyms

Aristida pungens Desf. Arthratherum pungens (Desf.) P.Beauv.