Leymus condensatus
Giant Wild Rye
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[6][10][2][3]. It can be ground into a flour and used to make bread[11][12][5]. The seed is rather small and rather difficult to extract[K].
- Plant part
- Seed
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A decoction or infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash for sore eyes[8]. The dried leaves have been used to scrape pimples from the underside of the eyelid[8].
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are used for making mats, rope, paper etc. The stems are used for thatching roofs etc[8]. The roots can be tied together and used as a hair comb[8].
- Product or use
- Brush
- Product or use
- Thatching
- Product or use
- Weaving
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - Alberta to British Columbia, south to Nebraska, Arizona and California.
- Habitat
- Dunes by the coast, dry plains and slopes[9]. Also found in damp alkaline soils near streams[12].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
- Salinity
- 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.
Succeeds in most soils, preferring a sandy soil and a sunny position[1][4]. Established plants are drought resistant[11]. Plants are tolerant of saline and alkaline soils[11]. A very variable species[1], it is possibly suitable for cultivation as a perennial cereal[12].
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
Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-1219-9
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.
Hitchcock. A. S. Manual of the Grasses of the United States Dover Publications. New York. 1971-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22717-0
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
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
Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3