Small floating mannagrass
Glyceria borealis

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Glyceria borealis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Wet places or shallow water.

Northern N. America - Newfoundland to Alaska, south to New York, Minnesota, Iowa and Oregon.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Seed - cooked. Ground into a flour and used as a cereal. The seed is very 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. It will require wet conditions or shallow water. There must be some doubt over the validity of this name. The species is said to have a synonym of Panicularia fluitans, this name is also given as a synonym of G. fluitans and it is possible that G. borealis is no more than a synonym of G. fluitans.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse in a pot standing in 3 - 5cm of water. Surface sow the seed, or only just cover it. Germination should take place within 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring. 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: Pond; Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Wet, water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Panicularia borealis.