Mutton Grass
Poa fendleriana
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Poa fendleriana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Sagebrush desert to wooded areas at mid elevations on mountains and occasionally on dry ridges in the south of its range.
Western N. America - British Columbia to Manitoba, south to California, Texas and Mexico.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Seed - cooked. A mild flavour, the seed can be cooked in stews etc, or can be ground into a powder and used in making bread, porridges, dumplings or whatever. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails. The seed is rather small and fiddly to harvest.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The plant is dioecious, male and female plants will have to be grown if seed is required. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in the spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in the spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist