Seashore dropseed, Sand couch
Sporobolus virginicus

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a grass that keeps growing from year to year. It has slender underground stems or rhizomes. It grows 60 cm high. The leaves are narrow and stiff. The flowers are in a dense panicle 5 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on sandy seashores. It can grow in salty soils. Along beaches it will grow down to high water level. It is a good sand binder. It grows from sea level to 300 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, East Africa, Ecuador, Fiji, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marianas, Marquesas, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, North America, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Togo, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are ground and cooked and made into cakes.

Edible parts

Seeds, grain, stems, cereal

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

The grain can often be harvested from ant hills.

Its other names

Local names

Alech, Boaonuhiri, Gerediedi, Lichangue, Marine couch, Salt-water couch, Teh

Synonyms

Vilfa virginica (L.) P. Beauv.; Agrostis virginicus L.;