Sand Dropseed
Sporobolus cryptandrus
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Sporobolus cryptandrus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Sandy soils by the coast. Grasslands and disturbed sites.
Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Montana, Pennsylvania and Mexico.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Seed - raw or cooked. It can be parched, ground into a flour and eaten dry or made into a mush. The ground seed can also be added to biscuits, breads and other cereal concoctions. The tiny seed is easily freed from its husks.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 1
A bunch of the grass, about 30cm long, can be tied together with string and used as a brush for cleaning.
Brush: Used for cleaning clothes, as a paintbrush etc.
Soil reclamation: Plants that can be grown in such circumstances an the spoil tips of mines in order to restore fertility.
How it is grown
Succeeds in any well drained soil in a sunny position.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they have grown sufficiently. Otherwise, grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist