Leymus arenarius
Lyme Grass
a perennial member of the Leymus genus in the family Gramineae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - cooked[9][2]. It can be ground into a flour and used to make bread[3]. A delicious taste[6] but very fiddly to use, the seed is small and hard to extract[K]. When cooked like rice, it can be used as a sweet or savoury dish. Mixed 50/50 with wheat flour it adds a richness to biscuits etc[6]. The protein content of this grain is said to rival that of red beans or salmon[6]. (This report seems somewhat surprising, protein levels are not usually anywhere near that high in a cereal[K].)
- Plant part
- Seed
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are used for making mats, rope, paper etc[12][13]. The plants have a very extensive root system and so they are often planted near the coast in order to stabilize sand dunes[8][10]. They can also be used as a ground cover for sandy open spaces but can be invasive[10][11].
- Product or use
- Fibre
- Product or use
- Weaving
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain and Siberia. N. America.
- Habitat
- Dunes by the coast, often in association with Ammophila arenaria[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed[4]. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. If the supply of seed is limited, it can also be sown in mid spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in summer[K] Division in spring or summer[4]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils, preferring a sandy soil[1] and a sunny position[4]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[8]. A very invasive plant, spreading by means of its wide-ranging roots[1][7]. Cultivated in Japan for making mats etc[12][13]. The Viking settlers of Iceland cultivated this plant until the beginning of the 20th century for its edible seed[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-1219-9
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202