Water WhirlGrass
Catabrosa aquatica

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Catabrosa aquatica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. 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): 0.7

Where it is found

Shallow streams and ditches, at the muddy margins of ponds and in wet sandy places near the sea all over Britain.

Most of Europe, including Britain but absent in Spain and Portugal, N. and W. Asia, Algeria.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Seed. No more information is given, but the seed is very small and fiddly to use. It would probably have been used as piñole or have been ground into a powder and used as a mush, as a thickener in soups and stews, or in making cakes, bread etc.

Medicine

Rating: 1

A decoction of the plant has been used as a stimulant and tonic.

Other

Rating:

The plant has been burnt as an incense.

How it is grown

We have no information on this, though judging by the plants native habitat it requires a wet soil and also succeeds in shallow water. It will also probably require a fairly sunny position.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in the spring in a pot standing in shallow water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in the spring. The divisions can be planted direct into their permanent positions.

Best place to grow: Pond; Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-7

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

Glyceria aquatica.