Sporobolus asperifolius

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Sporobolus asperifolius is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). 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 soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Sandy bottoms, damp sands etc. Dry soils. Damp or marshy often alkaline soils, along irrigation ditches and along the banks of streams.

Western and central N. America - Saskatchewan to British Columbia, south to Missouri and Mexico.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Seed - raw or cooked. It can be parched, ground into a flour and eaten dry or made into a mush.

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. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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: Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Muhlenbergia asperifolia, (Nees.&Mey.)Parodi.