Indian ricegrass, Indian millet
Oryzopsis hymenoides

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A bunch millet grass.

One ounce of Indian ricegrass seeds yields about 120 calories in food value.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits sandy arid regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

The seeds are ground into a meal for bread and porridge. They can also be used for cakes or to thicken soups. They can be mixed with cornmeal and used for dumplings.

Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) Indian ricegrass was probably the most valuable wild cereal harvested in the Rio Grande corridor during prehistoric times. One ounce of Indian ricegrass seeds yields about 120 calories in food value.

Edible parts

Seeds, grain, cereal

How it is grown

Seeds can be scratched just prior to planting to speed up germination.

Its other names

Local names

Perennial salt grass, Sand grass

Synonyms

Eriocoma hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Rydb.; Stipa hymenoides Roem. & Schult.; and others