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Xerophyllum tenax
  • Indian Basket Grass

a perennial evergreen member of the Xerophyllum genus in the family Melanthiaceae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Xerophyllum tenax has 0 edible uses listed
Xerophyllum tenax has 0 material uses listed
Xerophyllum tenax has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Root - baked[1].

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

A watertight basket can be made from the leaves[2][3][4][5][6]. This basket has been used for cooking food in[6]. The fibres are split from the leaves and then used[1]. The plant is also used to decorate baskets[6].

The small leaves have been used to make dresses[6]. The plants were burnt every year. The leaves were harvested in the spring when they first started to grow out of the charred rhizome. Prior to using, the leaves were soaked in water to make them pliable, but if left too long they turned green[6].

The dried and bleached leaves are used for weaving into hats and capes[7][6].

Unknown part

Basketry
Fibre
Weaving

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The roots are styptic[6]. A poultice of the chewed root has been applied to wounds[6]. A decoction of the grated root has been used as a wash on bleeding wounds, sprains and broken limbs[6]. The washed roots have been rubbed to make a lather and then used to wash sore eyes[6].

Unknown part

Ophthalmic
Styptic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if possible, otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division as the plant comes into growth in the spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Xerophyllum tenax. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[8]. Prefers a fairly moisture-retentive sandy peaty soil[9][10]. Requires a damp peaty soil[11]. Plants can be difficult to cultivate[12].

Plants are hardy to about -20°c[8], especially if the roots are given a good mulch in the winter[10].

If left undisturbed, plants can form quite large colonies, spreading by means of their tough rhizomes[10]. Plants do not flower every year, there are often gaps of 5 - 7 years between flowering[13].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Xerophyllum tenax. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Xerophyllum tenax.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Xerophyllum tenax
Genus
Xerophyllum
Family
Melanthiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
[6]
Material uses & Functions
[2][3][4][5][6][1][7]
Botanic
[14][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    1.2 x 2 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Balls. E. K. Early Uses of Californian Plants. University of California Press ISBN 0-520-00072-2 (1975-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (1979-00-00)
    6. ? 6.006.016.026.036.046.056.066.076.086.096.106.11 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    9. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    12. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    13. ? Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press ISBN 63-7093 (1963-00-00)
    14. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)

    "image:Beargrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Xerophyllum_tenax&oldid=81811"
    Facts about "Xerophyllum tenax"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyMelanthiaceae +
    Belongs to genusXerophyllum +
    Has binomial nameXerophyllum tenax +
    Has common nameIndian Basket Grass +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partRoot +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageBeargrass.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useBasketry +, Fibre + and Weaving +
    Has mature height1.2 +
    Has mature width2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useOphthalmic + and Styptic +
    Has primary imageBeargrass.jpg +
    Has search namexerophyllum tenax + and indian basket grass +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameXerophyllum tenax +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Xerophyllum tenax +, Xerophyllum tenax +, Xerophyllum tenax +, Xerophyllum tenax +, Xerophyllum tenax + and Xerophyllum tenax +