Desert panicgrass, Desert Panic Grass
Panicum urvilleanum

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A perennial grass up to 1 m tall.

There are about 500 Panicum species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in sandy places in deserts. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Chile, North America, South America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

The seed is cooked and eaten or ground and used as a flour. The hairs are singed off. They are cooked for an extensive time.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the clump.

Its other names

Local names

Jaboncillo, Junquillo, Paja del salitral, Song-wal, Sangval, Tupe

Synonyms

Monachne urvilleana (Kunth) Herter; Panicum patagonicum Hieron;